Yes, can you believe there is actually a holiday here in the US known as National Homemade Soup day? Well, there is and it is today! LOL

Now, anyone who knows me well knows there is nothing I like more than a good old fashioned bowl of hot, delicious homemade soup. And, I thought I’d share one of my favorite recipes with you today. It is my adaptation of a Rachael Ray recipe – I hope you’ll enjoy it! (and PS… its not that bad for you, either – about 350 calories a bowl!)

Cream of Cauliflower Soup
(Photo courtesy of FoodNetwork.com)

* Coarse salt and coarse black pepper
* 1 tablespoon EVOO
* 3 tablespoons butter
* 1 large head cauliflower, cut into small chunks
* 3 stalks celery (with leafy tops), finely chopped
* 1 onion, chopped
* 2 tbsp. chopped fresh thyme leaves (or 1tbsp. dried thyme)
* 2 tbsp. flour
* 1 quart vegetable stock (can do chicken, but I like veggie)
* 1 cup fat free half-n-half
* Dash crushed red pepper flake (optional)
* Parmesan cheese and chopped chives for garnish

In a large pot (I like to use my glazed cast iron soup pot), heat the olive oil and 2 tbsp. butter over medium heat. Add in the cauliflower, celery, onion, thyme, red pepper flake (if desired) and salt&pepper (to taste). Stir to coat and cook, stirring occasionally for 3-5 minutes. Push the veggies to the side of the pan, add in the remaining tablespoon of butter and add the flour to the melting butter to form a rue. Cook for a minute or two to cook out the raw flour. Then, whisk in the veggie stock and half-n-half. Bring to a low bubble, then reduce heat and simmer 15-20 minutes. Transfer the cooked soup to a blender or food processor (or use an immersion blender) to puree the soup to desired consistency. I like it really smooth, hubby likes it chunky… so we usually agree on somewhere in the middle 😉 Garnish with chopped fresh chives and a little parmesan cheese.

This soup warms you from the inside out… and it’s vegetarian and really good for you! Plus, it freezes really well, too. I hope you try it and enjoy it! ♥ Trixie

All Trixie Scraps Designs products can be found in the following online stores:
Trixie Scraps Shop * Scrap Matters * Gotta Pixel * Scrapbook Bytes * Funky Playground