Chilled Cauliflower Soup Recipes

Steps:

• Melt butter over medium heat and sauté garlic (3 minutes).
• Add cauliflower and sauté (5 minutes).
• Stir in chicken stock and potatoes; heat to boiling.
• Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until potatoes and cauliflower are tender (10 minutes).
• Season with salt, cayenne, and basil.
• Pureé mixture in a food processor until smooth.
• Blend in lemon juice and sherry.
• Transfer to a bowl and whisk in cream.
• Refrigerate until chilled (at least 2 hours).

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.

Steps:

• Heat the oil in large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the carrots, cauliflower, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, cumin, stock, and 2 cups water and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over low heat until the carrots are very tender, about 30 to 40 minutes. Let the soup cool slightly, and then blend until smooth, working in batches. Pour the soup into a large bowl and whisk in 1/2 cup of the yogurt. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Chill the soup in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours up to 24 hours. Serve the soup in individual bowls with dollops of remaining yogurt, and some chopped green onion.
• When blending hot liquids: Remove liquid from the heat and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes. Transfer liquid to a blender or food processor and fill it no more than halfway. If using a blender, release one corner of the lid. This prevents the vacuum effect that creates heat explosions. Place a towel over the top of the machine, pulse a few times then process on high speed until smooth.

Steps:

• 1. Cut leeks in half lengthwise. Wash to remove dirt. Pat dry and thinly slice crosswise.
• 2. Heat the oil with the butter in a heavy pot over low heat. Wilt the leeks and celery with leaves until softened, 10 minutes; add garlic during the last 5 minutes.
• 3. Stir in the curry powder and ginger, and cook over very low heat to permeate the vegetables, 1 minute.
• 4. Add the broth, lemon juice, and cauliflower florets. Raise the heat to high and bring to a boil; reduce the heat and simmer, partially covered, until the cauliflower is very tender, 15 minutes. Cool slightly.
• 5. Purée in a food processor until very smooth, adding half-and-half through the feed tube. Add extra broth for desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper.