Creamy Kale Soup

2 1/2 bunches lacinato kale
1 large red onion, medium diced
2 large Japanese sweet potatoes, medium chunks
4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
6 cups vegetable stock
3 tablespoons coconut oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
Pinch of cayenne powder
1/2 lemon.

Chop the very ends of the kale and discard. Chop the kale in 2 inch strips and wash thoroughly. Separate the 1/2 bunch and set aside in a container. In a large soup pot add the olive oil and keep on medium heat. Add the onions and sauté until they become translucent. While the onions are cooking add the sweet potatoes to a pot of room temperature water. Turn the heat on to high and when the water begins to boil, turn the heat to medium low and let the potatoes simmer. Cook until the potatoes are soft to touch. Sauté the 1/2 bunch of kale in a sauté pan and set aside.
In the soup pot, add the garlic to the onions and add salt and black pepper and sauté until it begins to caramelize, about 2 minutes. Add the two bunches of kale in batches, stirring very well each time a bunch is added. When the kale begins to wilt, put a lid on the pot and let it cook, checking every 2 minutes and stirring. When the kale becomes tender add the vegetable stock and let it simmer until the kale is soft. You will have to taste the kale to make sure its soft enough. Once its done, turn the heat off. Add the cooked sweet potatoes to the kale. Let it cool before blending the soup, unless if you have a vitamix or powerful blender that can manage high temperature foods. Blend the soup in batches and be sure not to fill the blender too much. Puree the soup until it is completely smooth. Each time the batch is done, pass the pureed soup through a strainer into a large pot. The kale is very fibrous and this step will make the soup very smooth. If you have a chinoise, use that. Repeat these steps until it is all pureed. If you find you need more liquid while blending the soup, add more vegetable stock, or the potato water. Put the pot back on the stove, bring the temperature up to a low simmer and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, cayenne powder and lemon. When you’re ready to serve the soup, you can put the sautéed kale at the bottom of the bowl and ladle the soup on top of the kale.
Hope you enjoy it!!!