Cauli-WHAT?

I don’t like cauliflower. I really, really want to like it, though. It’s pretty, it’s good for me… what’s not to like? I’ve tried it raw, cooked, covered in cheese, dripping in butter, mashed like potatoes… all with the same results. Gagging.

Until now.

Creamy Cauliflower Soup. I like creamy. I… sort of like soup, mostly when it’s creamy. So why not, right? One last hurrah before giving up on cauliflower.

This recipe is a 6 on the scale of 1 to 10 for labor intensive, mostly because it requires pureeing the cooked veggies to ensure maximum silky smoothness. There are two kinds of labor intensiveness, “Well THAT wasn’t really worth the effort” or “Yowzers, that’s yummy!” This definitely falls into the Yowzers Category, which is why I didn’t place this recipe higher than a 6. It’s completely worth the work involved.

Trying to get your kids to eat more veggies? Try this. It’s creamy (did I mention I like creamy?), it’s mild. IT’S COMFORT FOOD. It actually tastes a little like cream of broccoli soup.

But really, the biggest reason you should try this is because this girl, the one who has gagged her way through endless cauliflower dishes, LOVES THIS.

‘Nough said.

Gluten Free Creamy Cauliflower Soup

1 large head cauliflower, chopped

2 stalks celery, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cups water

2 Tbsp butter

2 ½ cups chicken stock, divided

2 Tbsp cornstarch

Salt and pepper, to taste

Dash of nutmeg

½ cup heavy cream (or heavy whipping cream)

In a large pot, place cauliflower, celery, onion and water. Cover. Bring water to a boil and cook veggies until tender. Puree veggies (with water) in batches in a blender until smooth.

In the same large pot (wiped clean), add butter and melt over medium heat. Add 2 cups of chicken stock and heat to just before boiling. In a small bowl, mix together remaining ½ cup chicken stock and cornstarch. Add to pot, stirring as you add. Continue to stir until the stock boils and thickens. Stir in pureed veggies, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Bring just to a slight boil. Remove from burner.

Add heavy cream and heat through (do not boil) on lower heat. Serve with a small sprinkle of grated cheese. Serves 8 (one cup servings).