RECIPE: REC: Simple and Silky Cauliflower Soup

[evan]

I'm in a soup mode those days, can you tell? smileys/wink.gif

I made this soup this weekend and I loved the taste. Also, we have had some REALLY cold days over here lately, and nothing is better than hot soup on a cold day. (Except hot chocolate smileys/bigsmile.gif )

Ingredients

2 tbsp unsalted butter

1 medium onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 tsp salt (plus more to taste)

1 head cauliflower, chopped into florets (about 8-10 cups)

4-6 cups chicken stock, vegetable stock, or water

To garnish:

olive oil, chives (or thinly sliced scallion greens), and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Melt the butter over medium-high heat in a heavy stockpot. Add the chopped onions and garlic and saute over medium heat until the onion softens (try not to let it brown), about 5 minutes. Add the cauliflower florets and the stock; use enough liquid so that the florets are just barely submerged. Bring to a boil, turn down the heat, and simmer until the cauliflower is tender, about 25 minutes.

Puree with an immersion blender until smooth (or, transfer to a blender or food processor and puree it that way.) Season and add more salt to taste — I end up adding at least 1 tsp more, but my stock has no salt in it.

Serve the bowls of soup garnished with a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of chives (or sliced scallion greens), and some freshly ground black pepper.

Makes about 6-8 servings.

Source: http://eggsonsunday.wordpress.com/2008/03/09/weekend-soup-simple-and-silky-cauliflower-soup/#more-332

 

[curious1]

So simple and good. Do you have truffle oil? A drizzle is really good in this.

 

[meryl]

Here's another good one: Curried Cauliflower Soup With Coriander Chutney

CURRIED CAULIFLOWER SOUP WITH CORIANDER CHUTNEY

(I used 2 Tbsp instead of 1 Tbsp ginger in the soup by mistake, so I left it out of the chutney).

INGREDIENTS:

Soup:
1 medium head cauliflower, about 7 cups of florets
1/4 cup vegetable oil (I used 3 - 3 1/2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil)
salt to taste
1 cup chopped onions (I used 1 medium yellow onion, which made 1 cup chopped - next time may use a little more)
1 tbsp finely chopped ginger (I used 2 Tbsp)
2 tsp chopped garlic (I used 4 large, about 1 1/3 Tbsp, crushed and chopped)
1 tbsp curry paste or 2 tsp curry powder (I used curry powder, since I didn't have any curry paste on hand)
4 cups chicken stock
2 tsp lemon juice
salt and freshly ground pepper

Coriander Chutney:
1 cup coriander leaves and 1/2 cup stems (I used 1 large bunch, leaves and stems)
2 tsp sugar (I used 1 tsp honey)
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tbsp chopped ginger (I omitted it, since I used 2 Tbsp in the soup - I added a pinch of ground ginger instead)
1 minced jalapeno pepper, seeds removed (I omitted this)
2 tbsp lemon juice (I used 2 Tbsp plus 1 tsp)
1/3 cup plain yogurt (I used nonfat)
salt and freshly ground pepper

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 450 F. (I omitted this step).
2. Cut cauliflower into florets. Toss cauliflower with 2 tbsp oil. Season with salt and put on baking sheet and roast, shaking occasionally, for 15 or 20 minutes, or until tender and browned. (I didn't roast the cauliflower).
3. Heat remaining 2 tbsp oil in soup pot. (I used 3 - 31/2 Tbsp). Add onions. Saute one minute, add garlic, ginger, and curry. Toss together and saute one minute. Add roasted cauliflower (I added raw cauliflower), and toss to coat. Pour in stock and bring to boil. Reduce to low and simmer 15 minutes. Add lemon juice.
4. Puree soup in blender or with a mixing wand. (I pureed half the soup and left the other half chunky). Adjust seasonings to taste.
5. Garnish with coriander chutney. *Recipe follows:

*Coriander Chutney:
Combine 1st six ingredients in mortar and pestle or food processor. (I set aside several whole cilantro leaves to top the soup). Stir in yogurt, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Makes 3 - 4 servings.

From LCBO Food and Drink - Autumn 2008
posted at:
http://livinginthekitchenwithpuppies.blogspot.com/2008/09/curried-cauliflower-soup-with-coriander.html

http://livinginthekitchenwithpuppies.blogspot.com/2008/09/curried-cauliflower-soup-with-coriander.html