Roasted Cauliflower Potato Leek And Garlic Soup

Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 3 cups cauliflower, cut in small florets
• 2 cups potatoes, peeled and cut in 1-inch dice
• 2 cups leeks, and light green parts only, sliced
• 1 head garlic
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1/4 lb bacon, diced
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• salt & pepper
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, coarsely grated for garnish

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• 2 toss cauliflower, leeks and potatoes with 1-1/2 tablespoons olive oil and salt and pepper to taste.
• 3 spread mixture on 2 large foil lined rimmed baking sheets that have been lightly coated with non-stick spray. roast 20 - 25 minutes until tender and lightly browned.
• 4 cut the top off the head of garlic place on a square of foil and drizzle with the remaining olive oil. roast 25 - 30 minutes,until the bundle feels soft.
• 5 while the vegetables are roasting. cook the bacon in a large soup pot until it is crisp. remove from pan and drain on paper towels. discard all but a scant tablespoon of the bacon drippings.
• 6 squeeze the roasted garlic out of the skins and mash them with in a small bowl with 1/2 cup chicken stock until well incorporated. set aside.
• 7 add the cauliflower, potatoes and leeks to the pot along with any browned bits. toss the vegetables to coat with the drippings in the pot. add 1/2 cup chicken stock and stir to loosen the brown bits in the pot.
• 8 add the remaining stock to the pan. cover and bring to a boil. reduce the heat and cook covered for 25 minutes.
• 9 add the garlic/stock mixture and cook another 10 minutes. the vegetables should be very soft at this point.
• 10 remove the pot from the heat and blend until smooth using an immersion blender. return the mixture to the stove.
• 11 over low heat, add the cream and herbs. cook until heated through.
• 12 serve garnished with the reserved bacon and the grated cheese.