Sweet Potato, Pear, and Carrot Soup

{ when there's snow, there's soup. }

Another snowstorm.  Another cold winter's day.  Another perfect day for soup.  I had 3 large sweet potatoes on hand.  But I wanted to find something that would complement it.  So I looked in the fridge and found this glistening Bosc pear.

Perfect.

And then I also saw some carrots which I decided would be a good addition to the soup as well (forgot to take a picture though).  

I adapted a recipe from Taste of Home and it was fabulous.  I will definitely be making this again - snowstorm or not.  But quite truthfully, I'm hoping to never see another snowflake again this winter unless it's a garnish on a soup.  :)

Sweet Potato, Pear, and Carrot Soup

{ Makes: 6 servings; Prep time: 15 minutes; Cook time: 30 minutes }

Adapted from Taste of Home

Ingredients:

3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

2 large carrots, peeled and sliced

3 cups chicken broth, divided

1 teaspoon salt, divided

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 large pears, peeled and sliced

1 large onion, chopped

1 tablespoon butter

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

1. In a large saucepan or pot, combine the sweet potatoes, carrots, 2 cups of chicken broth, 1/2 teaspoon salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes or until tender.
2. Meanwhile in another large saucepan, cook and stir the pears and onion in butter over medium heat for 5 minutes until onion is translucent.  Stir in 1 cup of chicken broth.  Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.  Stir into the sweet potato mixture.  Cool slightly. 
3. In a blender, cover and puree soup in batches; return all to the pot.  Stir in the cream, pepper and remaining salt; heat through (do not boil).   Garnish with slices of pear.