Description
Hearty sweet potato chowder celebrates rich flavors from Southern United States cuisine. Creamy ingredients blend seamlessly, offering comfort with each spoonful you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 5 cups (1.2 liters) reduced-sodium chicken stock
- 3 cups (approx. 450 g) sweet potato, chopped (about 1 inch in size)
- 2 cups (approx. 60 g) Tuscan kale, chopped
- 4 oz (113 g) pancetta, diced
- 1 sweet onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup (65 g) carrots, chopped
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- ¼ tsp ground sage
- ¼ tsp freshly ground nutmeg
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) cream (half and half, or coconut cream/milk)
- 3 tbsps roasted salted pepitas, for topping
Instructions
- Pancetta Preparation: Gently render pancetta in a large pot until crisp and golden, about 6-8 minutes. Remove pancetta, preserving the rendered fat, and set aside on paper towels.
- Aromatic Base: In the same pot, melt butter and sauté onions, garlic, sage, nutmeg, salt, and pepper until onions become translucent and fragrant, creating a robust flavor foundation.
- Vegetable Integration: Add carrots and sweet potatoes to the aromatic mixture, ensuring thorough coating. Pour chicken stock and bring to a vigorous boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Flavor Development: Simmer covered for 15-20 minutes, allowing vegetables to tenderize and meld flavors. Stir periodically to prevent scorching and ensure even cooking.
- Creamy Transformation: Incorporate cream or coconut milk, stirring to create a smooth, luxurious consistency. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance the chowder’s depth.
- Final Flourish: Wilt kale into the chowder just before serving, maintaining its vibrant color. Plate in warm bowls, topping with crispy pancetta and roasted pepitas for a textural contrast.
Notes
- Pancetta Prep: Render fat slowly to achieve maximum crispiness and extract deep, rich flavor without burning the meat.
- Vegetable Cutting Technique: Julienne carrots and cube sweet potatoes uniformly to ensure consistent cooking and balanced texture throughout the chowder.
- Simmering Secret: Cover pot during cooking to lock in flavors and prevent excessive liquid evaporation, creating a more concentrated and robust taste profile.
- Kale Timing Matters: Add kale just before serving to maintain its bright green color and prevent overcooking, preserving nutrients and vibrant appearance.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg