RSS Feed

Tag Archives: cauliflower

Broccoli Cheese Soup

Cheesy Creamy Broccoli Soup

Tieghan has another delish recipe I love! She’s at Half Baked Harvest and this is hers! I added potato instead of flour and bumped up the spices! She calls it Lighter Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup

This reminds me of the Canadian Cheese Soup I have made. Sautéed veggies, broth thickened up and cheese added at the end! Comfort food!

Check out Tieghan’s blog! She is a powerhouse of talent!

https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/lighter-creamy-broccoli-cheddar-soup/

A stick or immersion blender is essential to making this. Using a standard blender or food processor also works but is more tedious

Tender cauliflower, carrots, broccoli stems ready to purée
Broccoli florets and spices added to purée
Shredded Gouda and White Cheddar
Left some tender broccoli whole after 2nd purée

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 yellow onion, peeled and chopped
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme or 2 tablespoons fresh
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 2 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 6 cups broth
  • 1 head cauliflower, not too big, chopped
  • 4 cups broccoli florets and their chopped crown stems. Don’t use the long stalks
  • 2 bay leaves (Morton & Bassett is my favorite)
  • 1/4 heaping teaspoon smoky paprika
  • 1/4 heaping teaspoon cayenne
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 can lite coconut milk
  • 2 cups hard cheddar like cheese, shredded plus more for serving. I like the sharp cheddar and also aged Gouda is super here too! Use a mix of cheeses if you have them

Directions

  1. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven heat oil and butter. Add onion, thyme and carrots and sauté till tender
  2. Add potatoes, broth, broccoli STEMS and cauliflower. Cover and simmer. When tender remove from heat. Purée with stick blender till smooth
  3. Return soup to heat and add broccoli florets, bay leaves, cayenne, and smoky paprika. Simmer until broccoli is tender. Remove bay leaves and remove from heat. Use the stick blender to slightly mash up. Make sure to leave much of the broccoli in whole pieces
  4. Return soup to heat. Add coconut milk and cheese; stir till melted. Add salt and pepper to your taste.
  5. Top each bowl of soup with additional cheese and thyme
  6. This is a very forgiving recipe. The quantities of ingredients don’t have to be exact. But I do love these seasonings! I’ve been using a fresher version of bay leaves rather than the brittle dry style and enjoy their taste and fragrance. Smoky paprika and cayenne are a must!! Add more broth if needed. I like Better Than Bouillon Organic Chicken Base to make broth. Combine no more than 1 teaspoon base per cup of water
  7. Voila!

Cauliflower Mash

Cauliflower Mash

Cauliflower Mash with Roasted Chicken and Steamed Broccoli

 

Cauliflower can be cooked alone, as I did  here, or with other white vegetables such as potato, parsnip, or turnip. Cauliflower is a low carb replacement for mashed potatoes. I serve Cauliflower Mash with Cremini Mushroom Meat Loaf and with Coconut Curry (Chicken (seen below) or Fish) and with Roasted Chicken (seen above)

Coconut Curry Chicken Over Cauliflower Mash with Steamed Broccolini

Coconut Curry Chicken Over Cauliflower Mash with Steamed Broccolini

  • Wash an entire head of cauliflower.
  • With a paring knife cut away from the core, using as much of the cauliflower as you can and even the core chopped in smaller pieces.
  • Place the large cauliflower pieces into 1 inch of boiling water and cover.
  • Simmer until tender, about 10 minutes.
  • Drain well and mash.
  • With a stick blender puree, adding 1 tablespoon butter, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 2 Tablespoons heavy cream.