Monday, November 19, 2012

Magical Vegan Cream of Roasted Cauliflower Soup


Yield: 6 servings


After a long (or short if there are kids involved) hike on a cool day, what is more rewarding than serving up a piping hot bowl of creamy soup – yet this cream of roasted cauliflower soup is like Houdini!  It is magical, enigmatic and we’re just referring to the taste, wait till you get to the composition.  This soup will amaze even the biggest skeptic of vegan dishes.  What is so remarkable about this soup is that everyone swears it is made with cream or some sort of dairy product.  Curiously, there is no dairy and that’s where the magic comes in.  The key ingredient is rice, which thickens the soup and gives it body without the calories or fat of dairy products.  Coating the cauliflower in good olive oil, sea salt and cracked pepper before roasting, creates a mesmerizing, caramelized, nutty flavor.  So good, it might not make it to the soup.  Make this soup ahead of time, freeze and hope it does not magically disappear before making it to the campsite.  We warned you, this soup will put a spell of you!

ingredients:
to roast cauliflower:
1 cauliflower head, chopped into small florets
1/3 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper

For soup:
roasted cauliflower
1 cup cooked rice (we like Basmati or Jasmine for a little extra flavor)
3 cups water
¼ teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
sea salt to taste
chives for garnish (optional)

at home preparation:
prep time 15 minutes · total time: 40 minutes
Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C).  In a large bowl, toss cauliflower, olive oil, sea salt and pepper until uniformly coated.  Transfer mixture to baking sheet and cook 30-45 minutes turning occasionally until cauliflower becomes evenly cooked and tips become caramelized brown.

Cook rice according to directions.  Add cooked rice, roasted cauliflower, water, and pepper to a blender.  Blend until silky smooth.  Thin soup with additional water if needed and salt to taste.

Once the mixture is cool, place soup in a freezer bag and freeze until frozen solid.

campsite preparation and presentation:
total time: 10 minutes
Remove soup bag from your cooler and add contents plus 2 tablespoons water to a saucepan. Stir occasionally.  Cook until piping hot. Serve immediately, garnish with chives and pair with warm, buttery bread heated on your fire!

recommended campsite gadgets and gear:
saucepan
heat resistant spoon

cook’s notes:
Make extra soup to be stored in the freezer and serve for dinner at home when life is a little crazy during the week.

Remember Better·Living·Is·Surprisingly·Simple™ in the outdoors.
Magical Vegan Cream of Roasted Cauliflower Soup · Enjoy