
Loaded potato soup served up with shredded cheese, chives, and bacon is very much a representation of my fused German, Scandinavian, British, and Irish family ancestry. I wanted to make this a new family tradition, with a Japanese spin utilizing purple potatoes, that I could enjoy tummy ache–free. Blending antioxidant-rich purple sweet potatoes with coconut milk makes this soup creamy, rich, and tasty without adding tons of extra fat, sugar, or heavy cream. The roasted salty mushrooms are a perfect replacement for bacon—drizzled with some olive oil, this combination makes for one satisfying soup.
Unlike regular white potatoes, sweet potatoes contain significantly higher amounts of vitamin A, beta-carotene, potassium, and fiber. Beta-carotene and vitamin A, in general, have been shown to be beneficial to eye and cardiovascular health, to protect against certain types of cancer, and to help fight free-radical damage.




