I came across this recipe as I was perusing the latest Williams Sonoma catalog. They gave this recipe as a way to advertise the Vitamix blender, and it looked delicious. I usually don’t follow recipes to a T, but I couldn’t think of a thing I would change so I made it as directed. I was right; this soup recipe is perfection. It is so creamy and velvety, you would not believe there is no cream or butter used. Roasting the cauliflower gives a wonderful depth of flavor, and the kale makes for a beautiful green hue that confirms you are eating right.
I hate to admit it, but I feel that using the Vitamix makes the difference in the silky texture. You can use a regular or immersion blender, of course, but if you can invest in a Vitamix I guarantee it’s worth every penny. Finished off with crispy kale chips and toasted pine nuts, this soup is one I will be enjoying all fall and winter.
Ingredients:
(Adapted from Williams Sonoma)- 1 large head cauliflower, trimmed and cut into florets
-
5 Tbs. olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 1 large bunch curly kale, stems removed, leaves torn into 1-inch pieces
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 7 cups vegetable broth
- 1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted
Preheat an oven to 450°F.
Toss the cauliflower with 2 Tbs. olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet and roast until the cauliflower is tender and the edges are browned and crisp, about 20 minutes. Reduce the oven to 300°. Toss a quarter of the kale bunch with 1 Tbs. of the olive oil and season with salt. Place on a baking sheet and roast until the kale is crispy, 10 – 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven over medium heat, add 2 Tbs. olive oil and cook the onion and celery, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Add the cauliflower and broth, increase the heat and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and cook for 10 minutes. Stir in the remaining kale, increase the heat to medium and cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
Working in batches, puree the soup in a Vitamix blender until smooth. Return the soup to the pot and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper. Top with the crispy kale and pine nuts and serve immediately.
This looks great. How do I cook this without a Dutch oven? Thanks!
Thank you! You can use any large pot, doesn’t have to be a dutch oven.
This was pretty tasty! Thanks for sharing. And yes, crazy that it doesn’t include cream, as it was almost too rich to eat a whole bowl. I think next time I’ll serve it in small cups with a meal. Mmm!
Thanks for the feedback, Nicole! I’m so happy you enjoyed the soup. Isn’t it great that the cream isn’t needed?
Yum! I will be making this tomorrow for some out-of-town guests! Any suggestions for a side to the soup? (Gluten Free… So bread is out of the question) Suggestions for a salad perhaps?
Great! I’m so happy you will make the soup. It would be delicious with a spinach salad with walnuts, cranberries and goat cheese.
Pingback: 12 Best Low-Fat Homemade Soup Recipes! | Women's f Blog
Do you know the nutritional facts or calorie count for this soup?
Hi Abby – apologies, but I am not sure of the calories content. I do know that it is nutritious with all the great veggies!
This is probably a dumb question, but had anybody tried to puree everything in the vitamin and then cook? Or allow to cook in the vitamix using the soup setting? Thanks.
Hi Scott – I’m sure it would be great letting the vitamix do the work! You might want to cook the onions first though?
I just finished making this beautiful soup. I’d been to the farmers market and bought some Russian Kale, but hadn’t decided to make a soup until I got home…….which of course meant I didn’t have any celery. I used celery seed instead and also added fresh lime juice. Sooooo good. I didn’t find the soup to thick at all (maybe I added to much chicken stock) It’s tastes lovely and there will be left overs for the boys tomorrow when they get back from their fishing trip.
Hi Sue – Thank you for your comment, I bet the addition of lime was delish!