Ingredients
For the soup:
3/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 cup finely chopped leek, washed well and drained
2 large garlic cloves, minced
3 large carrots, sliced thin (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 bay leaf
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 pounds (about 3 large) sweet potatoes
1/2-pound russet (baking) potato
5 cups chicken broth plus additional for thinning the soup if desired
3/4 cup dry white wine
1 1/2 cups water
For the buttered pecans:
3/4 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Creme fraiche or sour cream as an accompaniment
Directions
Make the soup:
In a kettle cook the onion, leek, garlic, and carrots
with the bay leaf and salt and pepper to taste in the butter
over moderate heat, stirring, until the vegetables are
softened. Add the sweet potatoes, peeled, halved lengthwise,
and sliced thin, the russet potato, peeled, halved
lengthwise, and sliced thin, the 5 cups broth, wine, and
water,simmer the mixture, covered, for 15 to 20 minutes, or
until the potatoes are very tender,and discard the bay leaf.
In a blender puree the mixture in batches until it is very
smooth,transferring it as it is pureed to a large saucepan,
add the additional broth to thin the soup to the desired
consistency, and season the soup with salt and pepper. The
soup may be made 1 day in advance, kept covered and chilled,
and reheated.
Make the buttered pecans:
In a skillet cook the pecans in the butter with salt to
taste over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, for 10
minutes, or until they are golden brown, and transfer them
to paper towels to drain. The pecans may be made 2 days in
advance and kept in an airtight container or a resealable
plastic bag. Divide the soup among bowls and top each
serving with a dollop of the creme fraiche and some of the
buttered pecans.