Cream-less Cauliflower Soup

Cream Free Cauliflower Soup

Makes 5 Servings (1 generous cup each)

Serve for lunch with a sandwich or as an appetizer with dinner.

1 small head cauliflower (about 2 pounds), trimmed, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch florets (about 6 cups)
1 medium onion, halved and sliced 1/2-inch thick
4 teaspoons canola oil
salt and pepper
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 bay leaf
3½ cups all-natural chicken broth
1/2 cup 1% low-fat milk *
1 tablespoon minced fresh chives, optional
Grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:
1. Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 450 degrees.

2. Toss the cauliflower, onion, 1 tablespoon of the oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper together in a large bowl, then spread the mixture in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast until the cauliflower is softened and lightly browned, 30 to 40 minutes, stirring halfway through.

3. Combine the roasted vegetables and remaining 1 teaspoon oil in a large Dutch oven. Cover and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the cauliflower is very soft, 3 to 5 minutes. Uncover, stir in the garlic, and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

4. Stir in the wine and bay leaf and cook until the wine has reduced by half, about 1 minute. Stir in the broth and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. cover, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove and discard the bay leaf.

5. Working in several batches, process the cauliflower mixture in a blender until smooth, about 1 minute. Transfer the cauliflower mixture to a clean saucepan, stir in the milk, and cook over low heat until hot.

6. Season with salt and pepper to taste, ladle into bowls, and sprinkle each portion with some of the chives as desired and the Parmesan cheese to taste.

* For a dairy-free soup, you can substitute the milk with rice or soy milk, or you can leave it out. For the Parmesan cheese, switch to a dairy-free cheese or simply omit it from the recipe.

Recipe and picture from "Meal Makover Moms" Blog and adapted from America's Test Kitchen.
~Enjoy
Mommy of 6 <3