This soup may look super simple (and it is very easy to make!), but the flavour is deep and rich thanks to the extra step of roasting the cauliflower. The walnut brown butter brings a little acidity and nuttiness.
Ingredients
1largecauliflower, cut into florets
Extra virgin olive oil
1onion, diced
4cloves garlic, finely chopped
1litrevegetable stock, plus extra if needed
1mediumpotato, peeled + cubed
1/2cup(single/pouring) cream
Walnut brown butter
3tablespoonsbutter
2teaspoonsfinely chopped fresh thyme, or 1 teaspoon dried thyme + extra to serve
2teaspoonsfresh lemon juice
2tablespoonsfinely chopped walnuts
Instructions
Preheat oven to 180C. Line two oven trays with baking paper.Place cauliflower florets (peel the stalk and chop that up too) onto prepared trays, drizzle with a little olive oil, season with salt and pepper and roast 25-30 minutes, stirring once or twice during cooking, until tender and golden. Remove from oven
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat, add onion and cook 2-3 minutes, whilst stirring, until tender, add garlic and cook for a further 30 seconds before adding the vegetable stock and potato. Bring to a simmer and cook 5-8 minutes or until the potato is tender. Reserve a handful of the roasted cauliflower for topping, then add the rest to the saucepan. Add cream and then using a stick blender, blend until smooth, adding a little extra vegetable stock or water to reach desired consistency. Alternatively, transfer everything to a blender and blend on high until smooth, before returning to the saucepan to reheat. Season to taste with salt and pepper and leave saucepan over low heat to keep soup warm.
In a small saucepan, melt butter until sizzling, keep a close eye on it and as soon as you see the milk solids starting to brown on the bottom of the pan, remove from heat and immediately add thyme, lemon juice and chopped walnuts. Stir well.
Serve soup topped with reserved roasted cauliflower and drizzled with walnut brown butter. Scatter with extra thyme leaves, if you like.
Notes
This recipe was first created for and featured in Nourish Magazine, NZ.