Paleo Recipe Makeover: Creamy Cauliflower Soup

I've been a "foodie" for a while now, since I've been able to eat solids at 6 months old.  I've always loved to eat, and cooking was always fun but in recent years I've really put effort into making food that isn't just hamburger helper on a plate.  My kids are older now, and my daughter is especially adventurous when it comes to food.  So I'm a little more free to experiment with new tastes and flavors in the kitchen.  Paleo has just added to that need for innovation.  I don't want to be eating just grilled meat and roasted veggies all the darn time.  I do miss the artisan breads and gourmet cheeses.  I just hold out for when one of my favorite food bloggers puts out a recipe that either Paleo or just Paleo enough that I can tweak it to be so.

Imagine my delight when how sweet it is posted a recipe of for creamy cauliflower soup!  I knew from the name that the recipe would have dairy in it, but I've fallen in LOVE with canned coconut milk and its ability to BE milk or half-n-half or cream in a recipe.  And if you haven't tried it yet, put a tablespoon in your coffee.  It's like a little bit of heaven in the morning.  Her recipe is actually a makeover of a recipe from Bon Appetit, which makes it a Makeover Times Two.  So I took the recipe and paleo-ized it, replacing butter for fat, and coconut milk for the half-n-half.  If you are PRIMAL or lacto-paleo, the original recipe fits your lifestyle and can be found here.  If you're strict paleo, then you can follow my made over recipe.

Ingredients for Nom Soup

Paleo-style Creamy Cauliflower Soup

YIELD: SERVES ABOUT 4

 

PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES

 

COOK TIME: 45 MINUTES

 

TOTAL TIME: 1 HOUR

ingredients:

1 sweet onion, finely diced
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 tablespoons ghee or bacon grease
1 large head of cauliflower, chopped into small florets
3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 cup water
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/4 cups capers, patted completely dry
salt and pepper to taste

ingredients for chive oil
1/4 cup chopped chives
3-4 tablespoons olive oil

directions:

Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add olive oil and 1 tablespoon fat, then add onions with a pinch of salt. Stir to coat and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add in chopped cauliflower and vegetable stock, then cover and cook for 20-25 minutes until softened. A few times during cooking, use your spoon to press down and break apart or mash the cauliflower.

Making the chive oil was a
fun new experience!

While cauliflower is cooking, make the chive oil. Combine the chives and olive oil in a blender or food processer and blend until totally smooth. If needed, you can strain the oil thru a very fine mesh strainer. To fry the capers, heat a small skillet over medium-high heat and add 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil. Add dry capers and shake the pan or stir, tossing for 1-2 minutes until crispy and fried. Set aside to drain on a paper towel.

Once the cauliflower is soft, you can a) scoop it (and all the remaining broth) into a large bowl. Add half of the mixture to a blender with half cup of water and puree until smooth. Once smooth, add back to the pot and puree the remaining cauliflower mixture with the other half cup of water. Add to the rest. OR b) add the 1 cup of water and use a hand blender in your pot.  

Heat over low heat, stirring in coconut milk. Taste and season with salt and pepper, then garnish with capers and chive oil.

Nutrition: 143 cal, 7.7g fat, 1.8g sat fat, 3.1mg chol, 777.3mg sodium, 16.3g carb, 5.7g fiber, 5.1g pro