Description
Roasted garlic elevates this cheddar cauliflower delight into a creamy, comforting side dish. Cheesy, aromatic ingredients blend seamlessly, promising a delightful experience you won’t soon forget.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (709 ml) sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 medium heads cauliflower, cut into florets
- 6 cups (1.4 l) chicken or vegetable broth
- 1.5 cups (355 ml) carrots, diced
- 1.5 cups (355 ml) sweet onion, medium chopped
- ½ cup (118 ml) heavy cream
- 4 tbsps butter
- 1 head garlic
- ⅓ cup (47 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp dry parsley
- 1 tsp pepper
- 2 cubes chicken or vegetable bouillon
- ½ tbsp plus ½ tsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C) and gather all necessary ingredients and cooking tools.
- Cauliflower Processing: Divide cauliflower florets into two batches – one for steaming and mashing, the other for roasting with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Vegetable Roasting: Spread seasoned cauliflower florets on a baking sheet and prepare garlic head by slicing its top, drizzling with olive oil, and wrapping completely in aluminum foil.
- Roasting Technique: Place cauliflower and garlic in preheated oven, roasting for approximately 30 minutes until tender and caramelized.
- Soup Base Creation: In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat, then sauté carrots, onions, and celery until onions become translucent and vegetables soften.
- Flavor Layering: Integrate parsley, ground pepper, and flour into the vegetable mixture, stirring continuously to prevent clumping and develop depth of flavor.
- Liquid Integration: Gradually pour broth into the pot, mixing thoroughly to create a smooth base, then incorporate bouillon cubes and mashed cauliflower.
- Simmering Process: Allow soup to simmer for 15 minutes, enabling vegetables to become tender and flavors to meld harmoniously.
- Garlic Infusion: Extract roasted garlic from foil, squeeze soft cloves directly into the soup, and blend in heavy cream for added richness.
- Cheese Finishing: Remove pot from heat, gradually stir in cheddar cheese until completely melted and integrated, creating a creamy, luxurious texture.
- Serving Presentation: Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls, presenting a sophisticated and comforting culinary experience.
Notes
- Prep Timing Strategy: Roast garlic and cauliflower simultaneously to maximize oven efficiency and save cooking time.
- Texture Control: Steam cauliflower until extremely soft for smoother, more velvety soup consistency.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Add cheddar off direct heat to prevent separation and maintain smooth, creamy texture.
- Flavor Layering Tip: Roasting vegetables intensifies their natural sweetness and adds depth to the overall soup profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg