Cauliflower Soup With Cremini Mushrooms And Walnut Oil Food

CREAM OF CAULIFLOWER SOUP WITH SAUTéED WILD MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Put the cauliflower, potato and onion in a large saucepan with the butter and half of the oil. Gently heat the contents until they start to sizzle, then cover with a lid and sweat over a low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The vegetables should be softened but not coloured.
• Pour in the stock and bring to the boil, then pour in the milk and return gently to a boil. This way, there will be no scum forming from the milk. Season to taste then simmer, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes until the vegetables are soft. Pour in half the cream.
• Blend everything in a food processor or blender, in batches. For an extra creamy texture, push the purée through a sieve with the back of a ladle. Stir in the rest of the cream. (If preparing ahead cool, cover and chill for up to a day.)
• To serve, pick over the mushrooms. Wild mushrooms can be gritty so wash them quickly in a bowl of cold water then drain well and pat dry. Trim the stalks and chop or slice the mushrooms neatly. Heat the remaining oil in a frying pan and, when very hot, stir fry the mushrooms quickly until nicely browned, seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as you cook them.
• Reheat the soup until piping hot. Check for seasoning and ladle into warmed bowls. Spoon the mushrooms into the centre and sprinkle lightly with the chives. Italy's elegant, mildly citrussy whites, such as Vernaccia di San Gimignano, or a Chardonnay would suit this rich soup.

CAULIFLOWER SOUP WITH CREMINI MUSHROOMS AND WALNUT OIL

Steps:

• Place a large casserole over medium-high heat. Heat olive oil until it shimmers, and add mushrooms. Season with salt to taste, and saute until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
• Add cauliflower and 5 cups water. Bring to a boil and simmer until cauliflower is tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Working in batches, use a blender or food processor to puree soup until very smooth. Return soup to pan, and place over medium heat. Stir in cream, adjust salt and season with pepper to taste.
• To serve, stir soup, or carefully use an immersion blender to blend and froth top of soup. Ladle into warmed bowls and drizzle about 1 1/2 teaspoons walnut oil into each. Serve hot.

CAULIFLOWER SOUP WITH WHITE TRUFFLE OIL

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until tender, about 8 minutes. Add cauliflower and sauté 2 minutes. Add broth. Cover and simmer until cauliflower is tender, about 25 minutes.
• Working in batches, transfer soup to blender and purée until smooth. Return soup to pot. (Soup can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Cover and refrigerate.) Bring soup to simmer. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Ladle soup into bowls. Drizzle truffle oil over. Garnish with chives.

PURPLE CAULIFLOWER SOUP WITH WALNUT OIL

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat, add leeks and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
• Add cauliflower, potatoes, milk and salt and bring to a simmer.
• Cover and simmer on low heat until vegetables are soft, about 25 minutes. Do not boil.
• Remove the vegetables from the heat, let cool slightly and purée them in a blender, with an immersion blender or in a food mill. (If using an immersion blender, cover with a towel to avoid splattering.).
• If serving warm, reheat gently and serve with a drizzle of walnut oil.
• If serving cold, chill in the refrigerator before serving (also with walnut oil).

CREAM OF WALNUT AND CAULIFLOWER SOUP

Steps:

• Trim the cauliflower and break into small pieces.
• Combine the cauliflower, onion and chicken stock and bring to a boil.
• Cover and simmer for 15 minutes until cauliflower is soft.
• Add the milk and walnut pieces, then puree in a blender until smooth.
• Add soup back to the pot and season with the salt and pepper to taste. Bring once again to a boil. When serving, sprinkle each serving with paprika and chopped walnuts.

CREAMY CAULIFLOWER SOUP WITH ROSEMARY OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• Make the rosemary oil: In a medium skillet, combine the olive oil and rosemary sprigs. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes, lowering the heat if the oil reaches a full simmer. (You want to cook it at a very gentle simmer to avoid frying the rosemary.) Carefully pour the oil and rosemary into a small bowl, leaving a slick of oil in the pan if you plan to make croutons. Allow the rosemary to cool completely in the oil while you make the soup.
• Make the soup: In a heavy pot or Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-low. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and translucent, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. (Be careful not to let the garlic scorch!)
• Add the stock, cauliflower, salt and pepper, and bring to a boil over high. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer until the cauliflower is tender when pierced with a fork, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the optional croutons: Heat the reserved skillet with the residual rosemary oil over medium. Add the bread cubes, sprinkle generously with salt and pepper, and cook, tossing often, until toasted all over, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer the croutons to a plate or board to cool.
• Strain and discard the rosemary stems from the rosemary oil. Working in batches if necessary, carefully transfer the vegetables, stock and 1/4 cup rosemary oil to a blender and blend on high until creamy. Add more rosemary oil to taste, and blend to combine. Return the soup to the pot and bring to a simmer. If the soup seems thin, let it simmer for 5 to 10 minutes to reduce slightly. (Remember: The soup will continue to thicken as it cools.) Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Serve hot. Garnish each serving with a swirl of rosemary oil, a few croutons, and a sprinkle of lemon zest. The soup will thicken as it sits; add more stock as necessary when reheating. Leftover rosemary oil will keep in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 1 week.