Sweet Potato Bourbon Soup

Democracy Dies successful Darkness

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 ample saccharine onion, coarsely chopped (3 cups)
• 2 stalks celery, coarsely chopped (2 cups)
• 2 mean (unpeeled) carrots, coarsely chopped (2 cups)
• Leaves from 3 sprigs sage
• 1 1/2 cups bourbon
• 4 ample to 5 ample (about 3 1/2 pounds) saccharine potatoes, peeled and chopped crosswise into 1/2-inch slices (8 cups)
• 3 1/2 quarts homemade chickenhearted stock, heated, positive much arsenic needed (see related look successful Recipe Finder)
• 1 ample (unpeeled) orange, preferably Valencia, chopped successful half
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 cupful dense cream
• 1 spoon achromatic pepper
• Few tablespoons orangish foodstuff (may substitute maple syrup; optional)
• 1 cupful pecan halves, for garnish
• 1/2 cupful low-fat oregon regular sour cream, for garnish (do not usage nonfat)
• 1 heavy portion (about 1/3 pound) Virginia baked ham, for garnish