Sunday, March 14, 2010

Quick and creamy: cauliflower and roasted garlic soup


Want to have a creamy, seasonal (at least for here) soup with a sunny demeanor that almost cooks itself? We are preparing for a much-needed week-long vacation and I was cleaning out the refrigerator when I spied a head of cauliflower (not purchased long ago, but forgotten). I checked my root vegetable drawer and I had shallots, onions, and garlic - everything needed to turn cauliflower into delicious soup. I roasted the garlic to give it the benefit of rich garlic flavor without the bitterness or bit. One head of cauliflower made enough for two generous bowls.

Cauliflower and roasted garlic soup
(serves two, or double for more)

1 head cauliflower, cut into 1/4 inch slices
1 large shallot or 1/2 medium yellow onion, roughly chopped
1 head garlic
3 cups good vegetable stock
4 Tablespoons olive oil
Olive oil and sea salt

Cut garlic in half through the cloves width-wise. Drizzle each half with 1 Tbs olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Wrap in aluminum foil and roast in a 400 degree oven until cloves are tender, about 45 minutes.

Meanwhile, saute shallots or onion in a saute pan over medium heat until translucent. Add cauliflower and saute until just tender, allowing it to begin to brown. Add vegetable stock and bring to a boil. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until cauliflower is fork-tender.

Pour cauliflower mixture into a blender or food processor. Squeeze 3-4 cloves roasted garlic into mixture and blend until creamy. Add additional vegetable stock to thin consistency if desired. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Pour into bowls. Garnish with something nice and green. Serve with toasted French bread crostini smeared with remaining garlic and drizzled lightly with olive oil.

Enjoy!

p.s. thanks so much everyone for your nice notes on the cookbook - I really appreciate it!
p.p.s. why won't blogger let me put an accent on saute??

18 comments:

Peter G | Souvlaki For The Soul said...

This looks lovely and creamy Sabra (and no cream in it!)...will have to bookmark it for our forthcoming cooler weather.

Sari @ Cook Your Dream said...

Never tried to make a creamy cauliflower soup. Looks scrumptious. My mum used to make a delicious clear cauliflower soup which I loved.

Nicole said...

I love anything with cauliflower -- looks delicious!

JT @ areyouhungary said...

Grrrrrrrreat! I'd been just thinking yesterday that I needed a good cauliflower recipe, roasting the garlic sounds like the perfect trick!

Home Cooking Memories said...

I love creamy cauliflower soup and yours looks wonderful. I really like the idea of the roasted garlic in it.

Oh! On accent mark on saute - it's given me trouble too, but I finally gave in and just copy and paste it from elsewhere (I usually just google is and copy from there) into my post: sauté. Not a perfect solution, but maybe it will help you.

larry B said...

Yum! Sounds & looks delicious & best of all no milk or cream for those who are lactose intolerant!

Jenny said...

Totally making this for my boyfriend's birthday tomorrow! He LOVES cauliflower soup! :) I'll let you know how it turns out!

Unknown said...

I love all your veggie ideas, especially the low cal ones and the easy ones. This sounds like a snap. Unlike probably most of your readers, I wasn't even sure how to roast the garlic so thanks for including that! Have a fun trip.

Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets said...

Mm cauliflower is surprisingly creamy for such a healthy vegetable. Love the bright spring-y mood of your photo.

Mimi said...

Lovely healthy soup.
Mimi

Levinson Axelrod said...

This soup looks great. Thanks a lot for sharing the recipe.

Unknown said...

Lovely soup and one that is new to me. For the é copy and paste from the character map in Windows or you can shortcut by typing ALT + 0233 on the NUM Pad of your keyboard. Hope that helps

Ashley said...

This looks fantastic! Gorgeous photos!

Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover said...

Hi this is my 1st time here, I was attracked by your awesome food shots, will visit you more often from now.

Jacky Cheng said...

wow this dish sounds delicious! i'll definitely have to try it sometime!

Patty said...

This sounds so good thanks for the recipe, I love the French bread accent!

Robyn said...

cauliflower and roasted garlic... what a gorgeous combination.! Thanks!

Anne said...

The combination of roasted garlic and cauliflower sounds wonderful. I've never made anything like this before, definitely going to try this recipe soon.

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