Maple Sweet Potato Soup with Parmesan Croutons

Croutons

• 8 oz bread cubes, in pieces (½ in.)
• 2 oz Parmesan cheese, cut into pieces
• 1 - 2 fresh sage leaves
• 1 ½ oz unsalted butter
• 1 oz olive oil
• ¼ tsp salt, to taste
• ¾ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper

Soup

• 1 Granny Smith apple, stemmed, cored, quartered (approx. 5 oz)
• 4 oz yellow onion, cut into pieces
• 3 oz carrots, cut into pieces
• 1 garlic clove
• ½ oz olive oil
• 25 oz sweet potatoes, peeled, cut into pieces (1 in.)
• 2 oz maple syrup
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• ¾ tsp salt
• ½ - 1 tsp dried sage
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• 22 - 24 oz vegetable stock, to taste
• 4 slices prosciutto (see Tip) (optional)
• fresh sage leaves