THE BASIC RECIPE: Cauliflower Soup
THE CONCEPT
sauteed onion base + vegetable boiled in water + blender + salt/pepper = soup
THE INGREDIENTS
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 head very fresh cauliflower (about 1-1/2 pounds), broken into florets
Salt, to taste
5 1/2 cups water, divided
Extra virgin olive oil, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Step 1: Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pan.
Step 2: Sweat onions. Meaning, cook them without browning.
Step 3: Add a little water and cauliflower florets. Cook for a bit covered, then add a bunch more water and cook uncovered.
Step 4: Blend.
Step 5: Let it rest 20 minutes for added flavor, adjust seasoning.
THE STEP-IT-UP RECIPE: Roasted Celery Soup
THE CONCEPT
roasted vegetables + potatoes cooked in stock + blender + lemon/cream + salt/pepper = more flavorful soup
THE INGREDIENTS
8 large celery stalks cut into 2 inch pieces
1/2 bulb fresh fennel cut into 2 inch chunks
2 large whole garlic cloves
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 medium redskin potatoes, peeled and cut into a 1 1/2 inch dice
6 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup light cream or half and half
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Salt and pepper for re seasoning if needed
Celery leaves and fennel fronds for a little garnish
Step 1: To get more flavor in of a pureed soup, roast your vegetables first.
Step 2: Potatoes add thickness. Boil them in stock instead of water for more flavor.
Step 3: Add roasted veg to the stock, too.
Step 4: Blend.
Step 5: Bring to a boil then add cream and lemon juice for even more flavor. Adjust seasoning.
THE MOST FLAVORFUL RECIPE: Roasted Carrot Soup
THE CONCEPT
roasted veg + deeply sauteed onions + stock flavored with aromatics + blender + salt/pepper = super flavorful soup
THE INGREDIENTS
6 to 8 large carrots (about 1 3/4 pounds), cut into 1/2-inch rounds
1/4 cup olive oil
Salt
6 cups vegetable stock (good quality, not too high in sodium)
1 piece ginger, an inch long, peeled
1 sprig thyme, plus more for garnish
1/2 large sweet onion, chopped
2 large garlic cloves, chopped
Freshly ground black pepper
Step 1: Roast some carrots with olive oil and salt.
Step 2: While the carrots cook, infuse your stock with the ginger and the sprig of thyme.
After 15 minutes, your carrots should look like this.
Step 3: Brown onions and garlic.
Step 4: Add roasted carrots to the onions/garlic.
Step 5: Add the stock.
Step 6: Blend.
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