Creamy Soup: Veggies in Disguise

I find Caulifower takes on any flavors you add, so it pays to be bold, not shy, when it comes to this gorgeous, healthy vegetable flower.

I just made this up, so add or change any items you wish.
And have fun with it!  I have added some suggestions for substitutions below. (See photo below.)

CAULIFLOWER SOUP — FIRST INGREDIENTS

1. Break up a medium to large head of Cauliflower.
2. Place all the pieces in 1 inch of water, in a large sauce or soup pan.  You do Not need to cover the vegetables! Just an inch for steaming or your soup will be too watery.
3. Toss – right on top — 3 whole spring onion stems, cut in half, the green part and all.
4. Add 2 tablespooons of chopped, sweet red peppers.
5. Shake in about 1/8 tsp Hot Red Pepper Flakes. (This is optional, but if you like heat and don’t have flakes,  try cayenne.)
6. Add 1 tooth of garlic (or used 1/2 tsp dried flakes or chopped, jarred.)

Shake in some of your favorite salt to taste.Not too much as you or your guests can add this later.

STEP TWO – BLENDING & ADDING

1. Cover all the above and steam first on high, then medium, until all the ingredients are easily broken up with a fork… About 10 minutes.
2. Remove from heat.
3. Blend throughly with a hand mixer right in the pot. This will remove some of the heat. If you don’t have a hand blender, use A regular blender…but do this in small batches to avoid explosion as the heat expands in a closed environment.
4. Once blended but still quite warm, add 1/2 cup of Half & Half.
5. Now, add also about 3/4 cup of shredded Cheddar (or any preferred cheese) and stir or blend lightly. You can cream the cheese at this point, or leave visible bits.
6. For color and taste, NOW add 1 tsp. ground Turmeric. If you have fresh, wonderful. (See below for suggested substitutions).

• Blend all the above together.
• Reheat before serving and garnish with more spring onion or parsley, and a little black pepper

SUGGESTIONS  & SUBSTITUTES

1. If you are Vegan, use Coconut milk and a cheese substitute.
2. Don’t have or care for turmeric (which contains serious anti-inflamation properties), try curry powder, or a little fresh or powdered ginger instead.
3. Try roasted peppers or jarred pimento instead of the fresh, sweet red pepper.
4. Try steaming your vegetables in chicken stock.
5. Use another vegetable, such as broccoli.
6. Don’t tell the kids about the cauliflower! Just say it’s a creamy, cheddar soup!