Cream Of Cauliflower Soup With Bacon Recipes

COLD CAULIFLOWER SOUP WITH BACON AND CROUTONS

Steps:

• For the croutons: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Arrange the bread cubes in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with the olive oil. Sprinkle the thyme on top and season with the salt and pepper if using. Toss until coated. Bake until golden and crisp, 10 to 12 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• For the bacon: On another baking sheet, arrange the bacon in a single layer. Bake until browned and crisp, 15 to 17 minutes. Drain on paper towels. When cool enough to handle, chop into 1/2-inch pieces and set aside.
• For the soup: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the celery, shallots, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and cook until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Stir in the chicken broth, thyme and cauliflower. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook until the vegetables are tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
• In batches, puree the soup in a food processor until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Cool the soup to room temperature, then refrigerate until ready to serve, at least 2 hours.
• Ladle the chilled soup into bowls and garnish with the croutons and bacon.
• Cook's Note: The soup can also be blended using an immersion blender.

CREAM OF CAULIFLOWER SOUP WITH BACON GREMOLATA

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir onion and celery in the hot oil until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and salt, and stir for 1 minute. Stir in potato, cauliflower, chicken broth, and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until cauliflower is tender and potatoes are easily smashed against the side of the pot, about 30 minutes.
• Puree the soup using an immersion blender until smooth. Reduce heat to low, season with cayenne pepper and salt. Pour in cream and stir until warmed. Season with more salt if needed.
• Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 8 minutes. Transfer cooked bacon to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Toss breadcrumbs in the remaining bacon grease in the skillet, and cook over low heat until toasted and crisp. Stir in cheese and continue to cook until melted. Transfer to a bowl and cool to room temperature. Stir in bacon, lemon zest, and parsley. Toss to coat.
• Serve soup garnished with bacon gremolata over the top.

CREAMY CAULIFLOWER AND BACON SOUP

Steps:

• Place cauliflower in a steamer basket; place in a large saucepan over 1 in. of water. Bring to a boil; cover and steam for 8-10 minutes or until tender. Cool slightly., Place cauliflower and 1/2 cup cream in a food processor; cover and process until pureed. Transfer to a large saucepan., Stir in the cheese, salt, nutmeg, pepper and remaining cream. Add enough water to reach desired consistency; heat through. Sprinkle each serving with bacon.