Name: Creamy Cauliflower Soup
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 1 head cauliflower (2 pounds); 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (cut into 8 pieces); 1 leek (white and light green parts only, halved lengthwise, sliced thin, and washed thoroughly); 1 small onion (halved and sliced thin); Salt and pepper; 4 1/2 cups water; 1/2 teaspoon sherry vinegar; 3 tablespoons minced fresh chives

Creamy Cauliflower Soup

Published December 4, 2014 by Justin

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Creamy Cauliflower Soup | SaltPepperSkillet.com

We finally got a little rain here in San Diego, which is my cue to bring out the ol' soup pot and cook up some hot and comforting soup. Creamy cauliflower soup usually has cream as an ingredient, but not this one. The texture is silky-smooth and there isn't one drop of cream to attribute it to. All the credit goes to America's Test Kitchen for figuring out the secret; which is to undercook some of the cauliflower and overcook the rest. The overcooked parts will naturally create the creamy texture when puréed, and the undercooked parts contribute all delicious cauliflower flavor.

The garnish is what really makes this soup a winner. Brown butter, caramelized cauliflower florets and sherry vinegar balance everything out perfectly and make for a stunning presentation. This soup is sure to impress your guests who will be asking for seconds and the recipe. Make it a day ahead for an easy heat and serve starter for your dinner party.

Creamy Cauliflower Soup

5 from 3 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Servings:

Author: Justin McChesney-Wachs

Ingredients

1 head cauliflower 2 pounds
8 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into 8 pieces
1 leek white and light green parts only, halved lengthwise, sliced thin, and washed thoroughly
1 small onion halved and sliced thin
Salt and pepper
4 ½ cups water
½ teaspoon sherry vinegar
3 tablespoons minced fresh chives

Instructions

Pull off outer leaves of cauliflower and trim stem. Using a paring knife, cut around core to remove; thinly slice core and reserve. Cut heaping 1 cup of ½-inch florets from the head of cauliflower; set aside. Cut remaining cauliflower crosswise into ½-inch thick slices.
Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add leek, onion, and 1 ½ teaspoons salt; cook, stirring frequently until leek and onion are softened but not browned, about 7 minutes.
Increase heat to medium-high; add 4 ½ cups water, sliced core, and half of the sliced cauliflower; and bring to simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer gently for 15 minutes. Add remaining sliced cauliflower, return to simmer, and continue to cook until cauliflower is tender and crumbles easily, 15 to 20 minutes longer.
While soup simmers, melt the remaining 5 tablespoons butter in 8-inch skillet over medium heat. Add reserved florets and cook, stirring frequently, until florets are golden brown and butter is browned and imparts nutty aroma, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and use a slotted spoon to transfer florets to a small bowl. Toss florets with vinegar and season with salt to taste. Pour browned butter in skillet into small bowl and reserve for garnishing.
Process soup in a blender until smooth, about 45 seconds. Rinse out the pan. Return pureed soup to pan and return to simmer over medium heat, adjusting consistency with remaining water as needed (soup should have thick, velvety texture but should be thin enough to settle with a flat surface after being stirred) and seasoning with salt to taste. Serve, garnishing individual bowls with browned florets, a drizzle of browned butter, and chives and seasoning with pepper to taste.

Notes

White wine vinegar may be substituted for the sherry vinegar. Be sure to thoroughly trim the cauliflower’s core of green leaves and leaf stems, which can be fibrous and contribute to a grainy texture in the soup.

Recipe from America's Test Kitchen