Chicken and Sweet Potato Soup

Preheat oven to 400*F/200*C. Rinse the chicken and pat dry. Season with salt and pepper and place skin side down in a roasting pan.Cook 30 to 35 minutes or until just done. Juices should run clear.

Remove from the pan and cool until easy to handle.

Remove the skin and discard. Pull the meat from the bones and shred into bite sized pieces.Melt the butter and olive oil together and add the onions and shallots. Cook and stir about 15 minutes until softened.

Add the bell pepper and red chilli and continue to cook and stir about 5 minutes longer.

Add the garlic and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, stirring.

Add the chicken broth, shredded chicken, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, dried marjoram leaves, bay leaves, salt and pepper and stir until combines. Bring to a low boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, about 1 hour, until the potatoes are tender and flavours have developed. Skim any fat off the top as it cooks.Discard the bay leaves. Taste for seasoning, adding additional salt and pepper if needed.

Serve in hot bowls with a dollop of sour cream on top of each.

Sprinkle fresh herbs on top.