Sweet Potato-Peanut Soup with Ham Croutons

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup butter or margarine
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3/4 cup chopped celery
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and coarsely chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
• 2 cups cubed cooked ham
• 2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• Garnish: fresh rosemary sprigs

Preparation

1. Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat; add onion, celery, and garlic, and sauté 10 minutes or until tender. Add broth, potato, and chopped rosemary. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 25 minutes or until potato is very tender.
2. Meanwhile, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add ham, and cook until browned and crisp on all sides. Remove from heat; set aside.
3. Process potato mixture, in batches, in a food processor or blender until smooth. Return potato mixture to Dutch oven; stir in peanut butter. Cook over medium-low heat until soup is smooth, stirring often. Stir in whipping cream, salt, and pepper; cook until thoroughly heated.
4. To serve, ladle soup into individual bowls. Top each serving with ham. Garnish, if desired.