Lazy days have come to an abrupt end. We returned to school yesterday after three weeks of holidays and snow days. It’s nice to be back but it’s a bit of a shock to the system too.
I didn’t blog as much as usual during this break. Not sure why; heavy snow and perishing temperatures meant I wasn’t out of the house much other than walks with Marco (who must have polar bear relatives as the cold and ice don’t bother him in the slightest). Had lots of free time. Perhaps the enforced laziness affected my blogging mojo…
The following is a soup that I had lots and lots of times over the holidays. It’s (again) adapted from a Nigel Slater recipe. I’ve made it lighter though by omitting the cream and reducing the cheese. Kept the richness of the soup by adding more milk and using a strong smoked cheese. The stronger the cheese, the less you need.
Cauliflower and Smoked Cheese Soup
(serves 4)
1 onion, chopped finely
2 sticks of celery, chopped finely
1 tblspn olive oil
1 head of cauliflower, broken into florets
Milk (approx. 300ml)
Stock (approx. 300ml)
Bay leaf
50g smoked cheese, finely grated
Salt and pepper
- Saute the onion and celery in the oil until softened. Add the cauliflower and bay leaf. Stir to combine.
- Add equal parts milk and stock until the cauliflower is just covered. Season. Bring to almost a simmer and cook gently for 15 minutes or so until the cauliflower is completely soft.
- Remove the bay leaf and blend until smooth.
- Stir through the cheese and reheat gently. Season to taste.
A Wee Bit of Cooking 
Hi Wendy
Love the soup! I like soups that combine cheese and veg, and I love this time of year when food gets heartier.
Love the photos, the ice ones from the previous posts are incredible, and the clarity your photos is always incredible too. Can I ask, when you are out and about, do you use a tripod or monopod or do you just have an incredibly steady hand?
Cheers, Roo
That soup looks and sounds delicious – love the heart shaped croutons!
Cauliflower is one of my favorite things. That soup looks delicious! I’ll be trying it.
I can’t wait to make this soup in winter. Its a little too warm at the moment, but it is definitely making me long for a cold snap!!
Mmmm mm, that soup makes me feel warm just looking at it.
I was given one of those blog award things, and have passed it onto you because you take such beautiful photos and post such delicious recipes. Feel free to pass it on or ignore it – whatever you wish. 🙂
Soup sounds great. I like the addition of celery in it. I think it would marry well with cauliflower and smoked cheese.
Hi Wendy, you have had such good weather and your photos are, as usual, gorgeous. I feel very home sick but think I will make your carrot cake and share it with colleagues to help me beat the blues, love Shona
I just discovered your blog, and I just love it. I’m going to be visiting here regularly 🙂
I wonder if it’d work as well with the bag of frozen cauliflower that’s currently nestling in my freezer?
Aww, too late – I just made it into cauliflower cheese for tonights dinner. Must pick up some more as the soup looks delish.
oh I know the feeling of floating around the house and not getting much done – well I just cook and blog and the house falls into disrepair about my ears – glad to see you posting a great recipe – the smoked cheese is inspired – I have really got into smoky lately
Roo – No, neither. The light is bright enough for me not to need it most of the time.
Nora – I am rather partial to heart shaped food. 🙂
Wanda – Enjoy!
Em – I always look forward to winter food when it’s summer too.
Suzy – Thank you! That’s very sweet.
Maninas – I think it does. 🙂
Hi Shona! How are you doing? Took the cake into work on Monday and it was a hit. xx
Lisa – Welcome and thank you!
Trekkie – Reckon frozen cauliflower would work perfectly.
Johanna – Sounds like you know exactly what I was up to!
Oooh, I like the idea of this. Any particular smoked cheese that you’d recommend?
Am also wondering how it would work using roasted cauliflower…
oh, this looks fantastically good! slater’s brilliant, as is the smoked cheese.
Hi, I tripped over your blog looking for a recipe for tablet, I was getting a bit homesick for the sweet stuff and instead ended up making a similar soup.
I live in Vietnam and it’s not always possible to get exactly what you’re looking for but I can absolutely confirm that this soup is brilliant when made with a bit of slightly drying out blue cheese of indeterminate origin.
I really enjoyed you pictures, thanks for keeping up the good work.
This sounds lovely. I must remember to do it over the xmas break!
Made this the other day after having it in a resteraunt. I added some garlic granules and your recipe was very closeo what i had. Really tasty and i dont mind the time of the year, i just love soup.
Hi Wendy, I am.going to try this recipe tomorrow. Considering i dont like cauliflower , i will eat it in a soup. How much cream would be advisable, I like a bit of a naughty treat. .♡
Kind regards
Deborah A. Williams
I’d go for 150ml milk and 150ml cream. Enjoy!
Ironically 😊 nine years to the day you wrote this, I remembered it, looked it up and made it. I really love this recipe.
Thank you,
Summer
Ah, that’s nice! It’s been a while since I had this. Will make it soon again too.