Soup can be an exciting meal. It is flavourful and full of nutrients. You can put almost any ingredient into it - even plantains, a popular fruit from the tropics. The following soup recipes are healthy, attractive and easy-to-make. You can also serve them as a main course, along with fresh bread.

SWEET POTATO PUREE
Serves four

• 1 medium-size yellow onion, chopped

• 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 4 cups chicken stock

• 2 or 3 sweet potatoes (about 2 lbs.), peeled and cut into
  1/2-inch slices

• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

• 1 bunch parsley

• 1 cup croutons freshly ground pepper to taste

Over medium-high heat, cook the onions and ginger with butter (sauté) in a large pot for about five minutes (or until onions are soft). Add chicken stock and sliced sweet potatoes to the pot. Cover and cook for about 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Transfer all ingredients to a blender and puree for approximately 2 minutes or until soup looks smooth. Return puree to pot to re-heat. Add lime juice and some fresh, finely-ground pepper. Garnish with croutons and/or parsley on top.

GREEN PLANTAIN SOUP
Serves four

• 1/2 chicken

• 3 pieces of garlic

• 1 medium-size onion, chopped

• 3 tomatoes, chopped

• 1/2 green pepper, chopped

• 6 cups of water, salted to taste

• 2 green plantains, peeled

• 1 lemon

Take the skin off the chicken, (this will help reduce the fat content) and cut it in pieces. Put the chicken and the other chopped ingredients in a pot with the six cups of salted water. Cook for 30 minutes at medium heat until the chicken is tender. Strain the mixture to get a clear broth. Put broth back in the pot with the chicken. Put lemon on the plantains to keep them from turning brown. Grate the plantains directly over the pot. Cook at low heat for five minutes.