Wisconsin Cauliflower Soup

I got a head of cauliflower from the co-op this last week and decided a good use of it would be Wisconsin Cauliflower Soup. Have you tried it? It's served at Cafe Zupas, a favorite restaurant of mine and yum- you'll love it!

Don't be afraid that it's made primarily from milk, water and cauliflower. I served it to my family without telling them what was in it. You know what? Even my husband had no idea! I told him it was cauliflower soup and he said he never would have guessed! It's rich and creamy and just tastes like a wonderful chowder.

View other great recipes on my food blog, Butter with a Side of Bread!

http://www.butterwithasideofbread.com/2012/07/wisconsin-cauliflower-soup.html

Step 1: Ingredients

I substituted Colby-Jack cheese for the Pepper Jack, being as that's what I had on hand. I think it would be fantastic with diced ham and maybe even some fresh tomato as a topping.

Wisconsin Cauliflower Soup

2 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk**
1 1/2 cups water**
1 can (13 3/4 to 14 1/2 ounces) chicken broth
1 head (2 1/2 pounds) cauliflower, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup Pepper Jack cheese, shredded

**Can substitute 1 can {12 oz} evaporated milk and 2 cups water for the 2 cups milk and 1 1/2 cups water.

Step 2: Heat It All Up

In a large saucepan, melt margarine or butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook until golden, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Whisk in flour and salt. Gradually stir in milk, chicken broth, and water.

Add cauliflower and heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer until cauliflower is tender, about 15 minutes.

Step 3: Now Blend It

In blender (with center part of blender cover removed to allow steam to escape), blend cauliflower mixture at low speed in small batches until very smooth. {Don't let this step deter you from making the soup! Blending it is really easy and so worth the extra 3 minutes. The most annoying part are the added dishes!}

If you have an immersion blender, use it- it literally takes less than a minute to blend. {If you don't have an immersion blender, oh you should really get one- they're so wonderful!}

Step 4: Voila! Cauliflower Soup!

Return cauliflower mixture to saucepan; heat over medium heat until hot, stirring occasionally. Remove saucepan from heat; stir in mustard and 1 1/2 cups cheese until melted and smooth. Serve soup with remaining cheese as a garnish.

I love serving this soup with a big loaf of crusty French bread... or garlic bread. My husband prefers the soup with diced ham as a topping.