Description
Creamy cauliflower leek soup celebrates winter’s comfort with elegant simplicity. Rich with roasted vegetables and subtle herb notes, this British-inspired recipe delivers warmth and nourishment you’ll savor in each comforting spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Vegetables:
- 1 large head of cauliflower, chopped
- 3 leeks, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Cooking Fats and Liquids:
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) butter
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 8 cups (1.9 liters) vegetable broth
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream (Optional)
Seasonings:
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Chop leeks into 1-inch (2.5 centimeters) segments, dice cauliflower into uniform chunks, and mince garlic cloves finely to ensure even cooking and consistent texture.
- Warm a large pot over medium heat, gently melt 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) of butter, then incorporate 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of olive oil to create a rich cooking base.
- Introduce prepared leeks, cauliflower, and garlic into the pot, stirring thoroughly to coat vegetables with butter and oil, promoting caramelization and flavor development.
- Sauté vegetables for approximately 10 minutes, periodically stirring to prevent scorching and encourage even browning, which will enhance the soup’s depth of flavor.
- Pour 8 cups (1.9 liters) of vegetable broth into the pot, stirring to combine ingredients and create a uniform liquid consistency.
- Elevate heat to bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce temperature to low, covering the pot to allow gentle simmering.
- Allow soup to simmer undisturbed for 45 minutes, enabling vegetables to soften completely and flavors to meld harmoniously.
- Remove pot from heat and utilize an immersion blender to puree the soup until achieving a silky, smooth texture without any vegetable chunks.
- Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to personal preference, tasting and adjusting seasoning as needed.
- For enhanced richness, incorporate 1 cup (240 milliliters) of heavy cream, blending until the soup reaches a luxurious, velvety consistency.
Notes
- Switch up broth amounts strategically, using only 6 cups for a richer, more concentrated soup texture. Chicken broth works perfectly when vegetable broth isn’t available.
- Elevate vegetable depth by roasting cauliflower beforehand, unlocking deeper caramelized flavors. Sauté zucchini alongside garlic and leeks to introduce additional vegetable complexity.
- Boost protein content creatively by swapping cream with hearty navy beans. Incorporate chopped ham for a savory, meaty dimension that transforms the entire soup profile.
- Experiment with spice combinations that bring unexpected warmth and complexity. Red pepper flakes or ground pepper can introduce smoky undertones, while coconut milk and curry spices create an international twist.
- Lighten the soup’s richness by substituting heavy cream with half & half or low-fat sour cream, reducing overall calorie density without compromising delicious flavor integrity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg