Creamy Peanut Soup

Description
Creamy Peanut Soup This can be either be made as a pureed soup variety to be creamy or left with chunks of vegetables as a stew.

Ingredients

 * 2 cups chopped onion
 * 1 tbsp vegetable oil
 * 1/2 tsp cayenne or other ground chilies
 * 1 tsp grated peeled fresh ginger
 * 1 cup chopped carrots
 * 2 cups chopped sweet potatoes
 * 4 cups vegetable stock or water
 * 2 cups tomato juice
 * 1 cup smooth peanut butter
 * 1 tbsp sugar
 * Finely chopped scallions (green onions)
 * Finely chopped roasted peanuts

Directions
Sauté onion in oil until it is translucent. Stir in cayenne and ginger. Add carrots and sauté a couple minutes more. Mix in potatoes and stock, bring to a boil, simmer for 15 minutes or (until the vegetables are tender). Puree the vegetables with tomato juice in a blender or food processor. Return the puree to the pot. Stir in the peanut butter until smooth. Check sweetness and add sugar if necessary. Reheat gently, using a heat diffuser if necessary to prevent scorching. Add more water, stock, or tomato juice to make a thinner soup if desired. Serve topped with plenty of chopped scallions and chopped roasted peanuts.