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
- Break up a medium to large head of Cauliflower.
- 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.
- Toss – right on top — 3 whole spring onion stems, cut in half, the green part and all.
- Add 2 tablespooons of chopped, sweet red peppers.
- 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.)
- 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
- 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.
- Remove from heat.
- 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.
- Once blended but still quite warm, add 1/2 cup of Half & Half.
- 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.
- 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
- If you are Vegan, use Coconut milk and a cheese substitute.
- Don’t have or care for turmeric (which contains serious anti-inflamation properties), try curry powder, or a little fresh or powdered ginger instead.
- Try roasted peppers or jarred pimento instead of the fresh, sweet red pepper.
- Try steaming your vegetables in chicken stock.
- Use another vegetable, such as broccoli.
- Don’t tell the kids about the cauliflower! Just say it’s a creamy, cheddar soup!
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