Cauliflower Soup With Thyme Croutons Recipes

COLD CAULIFLOWER SOUP WITH BACON AND CROUTONS

Steps:

• For the croutons: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Arrange the bread cubes in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with the olive oil. Sprinkle the thyme on top and season with the salt and pepper if using. Toss until coated. Bake until golden and crisp, 10 to 12 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• For the bacon: On another baking sheet, arrange the bacon in a single layer. Bake until browned and crisp, 15 to 17 minutes. Drain on paper towels. When cool enough to handle, chop into 1/2-inch pieces and set aside.
• For the soup: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the celery, shallots, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and cook until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Stir in the chicken broth, thyme and cauliflower. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook until the vegetables are tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
• In batches, puree the soup in a food processor until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Cool the soup to room temperature, then refrigerate until ready to serve, at least 2 hours.
• Ladle the chilled soup into bowls and garnish with the croutons and bacon.
• Cook's Note: The soup can also be blended using an immersion blender.

CAULIFLOWER SOUP WITH THYME CROUTONS

Steps:

• Bring chopped cauliflower and milk to boil in heavy large saucepan. Reduce heat to medium and simmer uncovered until cauliflower is tender, about 9 minutes. Stir in whipping cream and 2 tablespoons butter. Cool soup slightly. Working in batches, puree soup in blender. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Keep soup warm.
• Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bread pieces and stir until brown and crisp, about 9 minutes. Season croutons to taste with salt and pepper. Stir in thyme.
• Divide soup among 4 bowls. Mound thyme croutons atop soup and serve.

FABULOUS ROASTED CAULIFLOWER SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). In a large bowl, toss cauliflower pieces with olive oil, garlic and shallots. Spread out in a roasting pan or baking sheet with sides.
• Roast in the preheated oven until toasted and tender, about 30 minutes.
• When the cauliflower is done, transfer to a soup pot and pour in the chicken broth and water. Season with thyme and the bay leaf and bring to a boil. Cook over medium heat for 30 minutes. Remove and discard the bay leaf.
• Puree the soup in the pot using an immersion blender, or transfer to a blender and puree in batches, then return to the pot. Stir in the cream and season with salt and pepper. Heat through before serving but do not boil.

CAULIFLOWER SOUP WITH CHORIZO AND GARLIC CROUTONS

Steps:

• Heat 1 tbsp oil in a saucepan over a medium heat. Add the onion along with a pinch of salt. Cook until soft, about 6 mins, then tip in the cauliflower and half the garlic. Give everything a good stir, then pour in the stock. Cook for 12 mins or until the cauliflower is tender.
• Meanwhile, peel the chorizo, then chop into small pieces. Toast the bread, then tear or cut into crouton-sized pieces. Heat the remaining oil in a frying pan, add the chorizo and fry until crisp. Tip in the bread and remaining garlic and cook for a minute or so until everything is nicely coated in the chorizo oils. Set aside.
• Using a stick blender, blitz the soup with the double cream and season to taste. Reheat if necessary, then divide between two bowls. Mix the parsley with the chorizo and croutons, and top generously.

CREAMY CAULIFLOWER SOUP WITH ROSEMARY OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• Make the rosemary oil: In a medium skillet, combine the olive oil and rosemary sprigs. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes, lowering the heat if the oil reaches a full simmer. (You want to cook it at a very gentle simmer to avoid frying the rosemary.) Carefully pour the oil and rosemary into a small bowl, leaving a slick of oil in the pan if you plan to make croutons. Allow the rosemary to cool completely in the oil while you make the soup.
• Make the soup: In a heavy pot or Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-low. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and translucent, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. (Be careful not to let the garlic scorch!)
• Add the stock, cauliflower, salt and pepper, and bring to a boil over high. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer until the cauliflower is tender when pierced with a fork, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the optional croutons: Heat the reserved skillet with the residual rosemary oil over medium. Add the bread cubes, sprinkle generously with salt and pepper, and cook, tossing often, until toasted all over, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer the croutons to a plate or board to cool.
• Strain and discard the rosemary stems from the rosemary oil. Working in batches if necessary, carefully transfer the vegetables, stock and 1/4 cup rosemary oil to a blender and blend on high until creamy. Add more rosemary oil to taste, and blend to combine. Return the soup to the pot and bring to a simmer. If the soup seems thin, let it simmer for 5 to 10 minutes to reduce slightly. (Remember: The soup will continue to thicken as it cools.) Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Serve hot. Garnish each serving with a swirl of rosemary oil, a few croutons, and a sprinkle of lemon zest. The soup will thicken as it sits; add more stock as necessary when reheating. Leftover rosemary oil will keep in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 1 week.