CAULIFLOWER AND SUNCHOKE SOUP
Food & Wine Annual Cookbook 2008 Food & Wine Magazine Active: 40 min Total: 1 Hr 10 min 4 Servings
Ingredients • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus 2 teaspoons softened butter • 1 small celery rib, minced • 1/2 small onion, minced • 2 cups chicken stock or broth • 3/4 cup whole milk • 1 pound cauliflower, cut into 1-inch florets • 6 ounces sunchokes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces • 1 thyme sprig • 1 small garlic clove, minced • Salt • Four 1/4-inch-thick baguette slices • 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese • Freshly ground pepper • 1/2 cup sunflower sprouts
Directions 1. In a large saucepan, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the celery and onion and cook over low heat until softened, about 6 minutes. Add the stock and milk and bring to a simmer over high heat. Add the cauliflower, sunchokes and thyme and bring to a boil. Simmer over low heat until the sunchokes are very tender, about 30 minutes: discard the thyme sprig. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. In a small bowl, mix the 2 teaspoons of softened butter with the garlic and season with salt. Spread the garlic butter on the baguette slices and place on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with the cheese and bake for about 8 minutes, until crisp.
3. Working in batches, puree the soup in a blender until smooth. Return it to the saucepan: season with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls and top with the sunflower sprouts. Serve with the cheese toasts. —Ian Schnoebelen
Make Ahead: The soup can be refrigerated overnight. Reheat gently. Wine: Ripe, luxurious Chardonnay.
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