On a recent trip to the Barossa valley crammed in a car with four other foodies and food writers, I asked everyone what their favourite vegetable was. I resort to questions like that when I spot a lull in conversation and because I am a mum and it is the most fun kind of question to ask kids. Same applies for adults. Everyone loves talking about their favourites. And because I am a mum, I don't have a very good memory to recollect what everyone's anwer was when it is time to write about it here on the blog. I remember references to eggplant (oh yes, food bloggers love eggplant!), snow peas and spinach. I remember chiming in even when no one asked, that mine was "Cauliflower!". Again a trait I have picked up from children. Announce your thoughts to everyone, even when no one wants to know.
I always have a head of cauliflower in the fridge. No matter the time of the year. It is like that back up tube of toothpaste or bottle of dishwashing liquid. Be prepared because you might need one. So I got the cauliflower out of hibernation, snapped the green leaves at the base and put them in our chicken feed tray (they love it too!). I pulled out big florets and proceeded to roast them on an open pan with lots of garlic while a simple recipe took root in my head. That night for dinner we had a hearty meal of roasted cauliflower soup with crispy baked parmesan shoestrings and a crusty bread.
I have cooked so many things with cauliflower but never a creamy soup. "Yuck!" said Gummi Bear, which was a bit harsh I think. He even managed to surprise himself because he never expresses distaste so openly. Usually he makes excuses and is kinder to his mum's feelings (He must've really not liked it!). But then he is only five and there is room to grow. It was really delicious and everyone else enjoyed it, most of all Nick because he loves big bowls of soup and adores cauliflower like I do. I have to now keep making this till Gummi Bear comes around and realizes that he just needed to challenge his tastebuds a bit more like his now adventurous older brother.
So tell me, what is your favourite vegetable? Have you cooked something that was utterly delicious, but someone found it inedible?
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ROASTED CAULIFLOWER SOUP WITH CRISPY PARMESAN FRIES
A heart warming soup with robust flavours roasted cauliflower and garlic, topped with oven baked parmesan crusted potato fries. Perfect as a complete meal with crusty bread or entrée servings in little cups.
Ingredients
1 whole medium sized cauliflower, greens removed and florets separated
3-4 garlic cloves
1 small brown onion, finely chopped
2 purple potatoes, scrubbed and chopped
4 cups vegetable stock
1 small potato, peeled and finely julienned (I used a julienne peeler)
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup parmesan, finely grated
a few sprigs of fresh thyme
2 tablespoons olive oil + a dash for the fries
truffle oil to serve (optional)
Method
Combine julienned potato, salt, pepper, half of the parmesan and a dash of olive oil in a small bowl. Toss to coat. Spread on a baking sheet lined with baking paper. Bake in the oven at 180C for about 15-20 minutes until crisp and browned. Remove from oven and cool completely. Toss through the remaining parmesan and set aside.
In a big saucepan, heat olive oil on medium. Add cauliflower and garlic. Sauté for 15 minutes, tossing constantly to roast the cauliflower evenly. Add onion. Sauté for a few minutes until starting to brown. Add chopped potatoes and vegetable stock. Cover and simmer on medium heat for 20 minutes until cooked through.
Remove soup from heat. Using a hand blender, purée the soup in the saucepan until smooth. Return to heat and cook for another 5 minutes. You may also optionally add a dash of cream. Season soup with salt and pepper (according to taste).
Serve hot topped with crispy parmesan fries, thyme sprigs and truffle oil.
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how many servings?
Yum! This soup looks delicious. My favorite vegetable is fresh artichokes! I discovered when I moved to Philly that eating whole fresh artichokes is not something the rest of the country does on the regular...but they should bc they are DELICIOUS.
This soup looks so yummy, we all agree on cauliflower. But we sure have our differences when certain other foods are concerned.
This soup looks so yummy, we all agree on cauliflower. But we sure have our differences when certain other foods are concerned.
ooooh i flip for cauliflower too, also brussels sprouts - but i can't get anyone else in my household interested in them. Can't understand why!! Cauliflower soup is a staple in our house, although in the autumn and winter only (it's too hot here now in NYC!)
Your soup looks divine! I will have to remember to try it when the weather gets cooler here in the Midwest US.
My favourite soup in the world. Love those Parmesan fries
Sneh this looks amazing! Hopefully I get around to making it soon 🙂
I always have cauliflower in my fridge too. It's so good roasted, pureed, made in to pizza crust, or just like this! In a warming soup. This would be perfect for the rainy weather we are having today. I also love your pin it button! Is that html based? I've been playing with mine, but nothing stands out well enough.
It looks so delicious! I like the crispy parmesan fries. Its a great combination.
It's 90+ degrees here in LA but that won't stop me from diving head first into this bowl of soup! And that topping- AMAZING!
Oh, cauliflower soup is the best, especially on grey & rainy days! I love the idea of a crispy parmesan topping too. 🙂
The parm does look like hash browns!
Roasted cauliflower, oh yum. Lovely soup. Will make it tomorrow
night for my clan.
Thanks, Sneh! xo
We both love cauliflower soup never tried roasted though and I am sure Gummi bear's taste bud will grow. I was such a picky eater as a kid but with time, it changed so much that at times, I surprise myself!
A wonderful soup! So flavorful, comforting and refined tasting.
Gorgeous clicks, as always.
Cheers,
Rosa
I'm not a mum yet but I always yell my 'answer" out before being asked... I think I just get excited! We are well and truly into soup season now! I have never turned cauli into soup before - and now I see that I must give it a go!
I love roasted cauliflower so I know I'd enjoy this soup immensely. Those fries look mouthwatering!
Here you are with roasted cauliflower soup while I just made roasted cauliflower pizza! The husband and I share a love-hate relationship with some foods too 😀
Looks so delicious! Perfect for a rainy day this summer 🙂
I just love that our seasons on are flipped... It cracks me up. The other day I was just thinking about what soup I'd want to make for our "Friendsgiving" dinner this November (yeah, I plan WAY in advance) and now I have the recipe! What's better than roasted cauliflower and garlic. Nothing.
Oh so many times Sneh. My husband doesn't share the same taste buds as mine, plus he is not as adventurous and certain things he will eat only because I like that food- mushrooms, fish but I know he is not quite enjoying it as much as he would his dal chawal.
This soup and the photographs both are delicious! Hopefully Gummi Bear will come around to it 🙂