I’ve been craving some homemade soup – after a November in Chicago that’s been below freezing for about 2 weeks now! Hopefully that’s not a sign of things to come this winter 🙁

My creamy, and satisfying soup starts with fresh shallots, celery, and carrots. The star of the soup is cauliflower – which I roasted to bring out the best flavor possible. I learned that tip from Ina Garten~!

Recipe for ROASTED CAULIFLOWER SOUP: (serves 4)

Ingredients:

• 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 stalk celery, thinly sliced
• 2 carrots, julienne into small 1″ pieces
• 2 small shallots, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 Tbsp all purpose flour
• 4 c chicken broth (you can use vegetable broth for a vegetarian soup)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp coriander
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1 large head of cauliflower, cut into florets
• 1/2 c heavy cream (or half and half)
• 1 c grated cheddar jack cheese
• fresh chopped parsley (for garnish)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Prepare the cauliflower florets by placing them on a sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Toss to combine. Place in the 400 degree oven on the top rack, for 20 min. Toss and turn the florets 1/2 way through the baking time. They should be charred on the edges.

Place a large dutch oven over med-low heat. Add butter, celery, carrots, shallots, and garlic. Saute for 2-3 min.

Add flour, and whisk until incorporated, and golden. Slowly pour in the chicken broth, whisking continuously. Turn up heat to med. and bring to a simmer.

Add salt, garlic powder, pepper, coriander, and paprika.

Remove the cauliflower from the oven, and rough-chop. Add the cauliflower to the soup pot, and simmer for 15 min.

Remove 2 cups of the soup, and puree in a blender or food processor until smooth. Return to the soup pot.

Add the heavy cream or half and half, and simmer for 10 min. Add the cheese, and whisk to blend.

Serve with an additional sprinkling of shredded cheese, and the minced fresh parsley.