Ingredients
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 large carrot, chopped
- 1 rib celery, chopped
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into small florets
- 2 bay leaves
Other Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or half & half
Instructions
- Sauté vegetables: Melt the butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion, chopped carrot, chopped celery, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Cook while stirring until the onions become translucent, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add flour: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour evenly over the sautéed vegetables. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to combine and remove the raw flour taste.
- Incorporate broth: Slowly pour in the chicken or vegetable broth while stirring continuously to prevent lumps from forming and create a smooth base.
- Add cauliflower and bay leaves: Introduce the cauliflower florets and bay leaves to the pot. Bring the soup to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer soup: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer gently for 20 to 25 minutes or until the cauliflower is tender when pierced with a fork.
- Finish with cream: Remove the bay leaves and stir in the heavy cream or half & half for richness. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve the soup warm for best flavor and comfort.
Notes
- This soup can be made vegetarian by using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- For a smoother texture, blend the soup with an immersion blender after cooking before adding cream.
- To make it dairy-free, substitute the butter and cream with plant-based alternatives like olive oil and coconut milk.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Adding a pinch of nutmeg can enhance the flavor depth when stirring in cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
