Monday, October 4, 2010

Quick and Easy Cauliflower Soup

It is cold. Between Saturday and today, it got really, really cold. I wanted soup anyway, but as it’s the first Monday of the month I needed to make a big batch to take to Ronald McDonald House. This soup is almost as easy as those just-add-water mixes, and it’s a million times tastier.

055Creamy Cauliflower and Leek Soup

Poor cauliflower got a bad reputation as a healthy alternative to potatoes. Because we’re used to seeing it white? Because it goes well in soup with leeks?

This soup is delicious, and using cauliflower makes it super easy. No potatoes to scrub or peel. Just chunk the cauliflower and boil and steam it. Cleaning the leeks takes the longest, but even that is quick.

For this large batch, I used four large leeks, sauteed briefly in a olive oil, two heads of cauliflower, and about 6 cups of vegetable broth. It’s okay if not all the cauliflower is submerged in the broth. Cook for 20-25 minutes until the vegetables are tender.

This is where you’ll want an immersion blender. I still make a mess with the immersion blender, but it would be worse trying to transfer the soup to a stand blender. Blend the soup, add a little nutmeg (or other spices, but I like it with the nutmeg) and finish with some almond milk to make this extra creamy. I like mine with some black pepper on top.

Voila! Easy soup. Perfect for cuddling weather.

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9 comments:

  1. I posted cauliflower soup too! must be tuned into the same frequency! :D

    northsideladies.blogspot.com

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  2. I don't know anything about Ronald McDonald House, I could probably look it up on the internet, but maybe you could do a future post about your connection with them and why they don't have enough donations to provide food for their inhabitants.

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  3. As you say, cauliflower has been a much neglected and maligned vegetable, so well done on your great recipe and being part of the fight back!

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  4. I've never been a big fan of cauliflower, but I have to admit that this looks and sounds good! I'll have to give it a try!

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  5. The soup looks so warming and delicious. I'm sure it will be very happily devoured by all.

    It must be sort of interesting and fun to rescale recipes into larger batches...I guess you need larger pots though.

    Your kitties are so cute and snuggley together...I think I see the ear tip on the left-hand kitty (?)

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  6. Aw, I love it when kitties cuddle! And the soup sounds great. You've reminded me that I really need to add "immersion blender" to my birthday list. :-)

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  7. Your soup looks and sounds delicious. You are making me wish I had some cauliflower so I can make a batch now. We are also having the same cold weather.

    The fur babies cuddled up together are adorable. :-)

    Ali

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  8. Could this be any easier?!? Seriously you've shed a whole new light on cauliflower, and if I weren't cooking up lentil soup right now I'd probably be getting on this wagon. Thanks for sharing the recipe, can't wait to try it!! Lovin the kitties!!

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  9. Oh, great! I have cauliflower in the fridge and it's cold here too.

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