Now I'm a Carver Craver!

It's the truth; I'm craving this soup.  Reader Dear, this soup was like no other I've ever tasted.   I took one bite and swooned!
I'm speaking, of course, about the George Washington Carver Memorial Soup that Mi Amiga prepared for her guests when The Yard Man and I went to see her and Mr. Amigo at their home in Virginia the other weekend.

Yes, it made me ecstatic.  I started craving more of it from the very first delectable spoonful.  And I've been craving it ever since!  I so want to concoct some of this stuff.  If I were able to collect all the ingredients and carve out enough time, my lucky stars would shine!

There's just no way, Dear Reader, I can convey the velvety mouth- feel and the sweetly savory richness of this soup unless I offer you a bite.  And, well, here's the hitch.  You, Dear Chef, will have to be the one to prepare this delicious soup before I can reasonably say, "Go ahead.  Try some!"*

So, here is the recipe.  Mi Amiga got it from a friend so true,** who likely got it from someone she knew, who could have gotten it from a radio show (for all I know).  However, I believe that Mi Amiga tweaked the ingredient list enough that I'm going to give her full and total credit for it.  She's the one who collected all the ingredients and  carved out the time to prepare it for her guests!  She's the one who got me craving!

George Washington Carver Memorial Soup 

Ingredients:
(The list is daunting. Be brave! [I whisper to myself])
....1/2 Cup peanut or grape seed oil
....1 large onion, peeled and cut into eighths
....2 cloves of garlic, minced
....2 teaspoons fresh ginger, peeled and grated              
....2 teaspoons cumin powder
....2 teaspoons coriander powder
....1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
....1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
....2 tablespoons organic tomato paste
....8 cups organic chicken or vegetable stock
....2 sweet potatoes (1 1/2- 2 lbs.), peeled and cut into 2 inch cubes
....2 carrots, peeled and cut into 2 inch sections
....1/4 cup dry roasted peanuts, chopped
....1/2 cup organic dark roasted peanut butter
.....1 teaspoon salt
....1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
....Sour cream, dollop, optional
....1/2 bunch of fresh cilantro, chopped, optional

Instructions:
(Just twelve easy steps! [I fantasize])
.....Coat sweet potatoes, carrots and onion wedges with all but two     tablespoons of the oil.
....Sprinkle with salt.
....Place on a baking sheet. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 30-40 minutes, until soft.
.....Cut off any black (and eat it. Yummy). Dark brown is fine.
.....Meanwhile, heat a heavy-bottom saucepan and add remaining 2 tablespoons of oil.
.....Add the garlic, ginger and all of the spices.
.....Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring.
.....Add the tomato paste, peanut butter, the roasted vegetables, salt, cayenne pepper, and stock.
.....Mix well.
..... Remove from heat.
.....Put mixture in bowl of a blender or food processor in batches and blend until smooth.
.....Pour mixture back into saucepan and heat over medium - low heat until heated through.
(following steps are all totally optional)
.....Ladle into bowls.
.....Garnish with dollop of sour cream, chopped peanuts and cilantro.
.....Take a bite.
.....Gasp with delight.
.....Dance around the room throwing flower petals (paper confetti would also suffice).
.....Sing a short aria.
.....Dream of serving George Washing Carver Memorial Soup to every soul who's ever smiled at you.
.....Blog about it. 

Serves 6-8. (So they say.)
Dear Chef, let me know if you make this soup one day!

........................................
*Reader Dear, it's not easy shipping soup.
**I really have no idea about the friendship other than knowing that only a friend so true would share this recipe with you. 
(Gracias, Mi Amiga!)