Cauliflower Soup With Thyme Croutons Recipes

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.

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:

• 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.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees celcius. Cut the slices of bread into cubes and coat lightly with cooking spray. Place on a baking tray and bake for 5 minutes or until crisp and golden. Reserve.
• While the croutons are baking, place the cauliflower, potato and onion in a large pan. Add the vegetable stock and bring to the boil. Cover and gently simmer for 10 minutes or until the potato is tender.
• Transfer the mixture to a food processor or blender. Process until smooth. Return to the pan and add the skim milk. Reheat and ladle into warm bowls. Scatter with the chives and the croutons.

Steps:

• Steam cauliflower in water until soft (reserve water).
• Sauté onions in separate pan.
• Combine onions and cauliflower with water and bring to boil and puree with hand mixer.
• Cook over low heat.
• Add carrots.
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• Just before carrots are tender add gorgonzola, parsley and thyme.
• Serve with croutons or tortilla strips.