Roasted Cauliflower White Cheddar Soup

You guys! This soup is so yummy! I've been making lots of soups lately but trying to find healthier versions. While there is milk and heavy cream in this one; the main ingredient is cauliflower--that accounts for something right?! We both went back for a second helping if that tells you anything. Although I goofed and went to bed without putting it in the fridge and I almost cried when I saw it the next morning. I was looking forward to eating it for lunch the next day. haha!

Prepping the cauliflower to be roasted using my homemade PAM spray.

Excuse this after work look. haha

We sliced a dollar loaf from Walmart that was buttered and toasted in the oven.

Ingredients

• 1 large head cauliflower (2 - 2 1/2 lb), cored and chopped into small, bite size pieces
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 Tbsp butter
• 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion
• 3 1/2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3 cups milk
• 1 (14 oz) can low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp dried parsley or 1 Tbsp chopped fresh
• 1/4 tsp (slightly heaping) dried thyme or 1 tsp chopped fresh
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 tsp granulated sugar
• 4 oz shredded sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup), plus more for serving if desired
• 1 oz finely grated parmesan cheese (slightly packed 1/4 cup)

Directions

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place cauliflower on baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and toss to evenly coat, then spread into an even layer and season lightly with salt and pepper. Bake in preheated oven until golden, about 25 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
• In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add in onion and saute until tender, about 4 - 5 minutes. Add in flour and cook, stirring constantly 1 1/2 minutes, adding in garlic during last 30 seconds of cooking. While whisking, slowly pour in milk followed by chicken broth and cream. Add in parsley, thyme, bay leaf, sugar, roasted cauliflower and season soup with salt and pepper to taste (I used 1/2 tsp salt but this may vary depending on how much salt you added to your cauliflower and how much salt you prefer). Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, then reduce heat to low. Puree 3 cups of the soup in a blender (being careful as your working with hot liquids) and return to soup in pot. Remove from heat and stir in sharp white cheddar and parmesan cheese. Serve warm garnished with additional shredded white cheddar and serve with fresh bread or croutons if desired. Recipe from here.

You must make this! Use hashtag #FIATrecipes and tag me in it so I can see it!