Irish Root Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
2 lbs carrots, peeled and sliced
2 leeks, sliced (white part only)
6 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
2 lbs sweet potatoes, cut in half and oven-roasted (see note)
4 cups chicken stock
2 cups whipping cream
1 pinch salt
1 pinch white pepper
2 tablespoons sugar

Preparation

Heat oil and butter in large, heavy saucepan over medium heat.
Add carrots, leeks, garlic and sweet potatoes and saute until leeks are translucent, about 8 minutes.
Add chicken stock and whipping cream.
Cover and simmer until carrots and potatoes are very soft, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
Puree soup in blender and return to same saucepan.
Add salt, pepper and sugar and taste and adjust seasonings.
Stir soup over medium heat until heated through.
Ladle into bowls and top with whipped cream, if desired.
Note: Parboil potatoes, then oven-roast by placing potatoes on cookie sheet in 350\u00b0F oven for about 30 minutes, or until brown.