Creamy Cauliflower Soup with Chorizo and Greens
Source: Sara Moulton
This is a very substantial and satisfying soup. Thickened by pureed cauliflower and potato, it is luxuriously creamy without any cream. The sausage, greens, and paprika give it heat, and the cauliflower flowerets give it crunch.
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
10 ounces chorizo or andouille sausage, sliced
1 medium onion, sliced (about 1 cup)
1 medium head cauliflower (about 2 pounds)
1 small Yukon gold potato (about 4 ounces), peeled and coarsely chopped
4 cups canned chicken broth or Chicken Stock (recipe follows)
1 bunch mustard greens, kale, or spinach, or a mixture, tough stems discarded, rinsed, dried, and thinly sliced
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Kosher salt and freshly milled black pepper
Paprika, preferably smoked, for garnish
Grilled or broiled slices of homemade-style bread, rubbed with a cut garlic clove, optional
Heat the oil in a large saucepan over high heat until hot. Reduce the heat to medium, add the chorizo, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pieces are lightly browned on both sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer the chorizo with a slotted spoon to a plate. Add the onion to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, cut 2 cups of small florets from the cauliflower and chop the rest. Peel and thinly slice the potato. When the onion has softened, add the chicken broth, chopped cauliflower, and potato to the saucepan; bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 8 minutes or until the cauliflower and potato are very tender. Transfer to a blender in three or four small batches and puree until very smooth.
Measure the pureed soup and return it to the saucepan. Add water, if necessary, to make 7 cups. Stir in the reserved cauliflower florets and simmer for 4 minutes or until they are almost tender. If you are using mustard greens or kale, add them to the soup with the flowerets. When the flowerets are just tender, stir in the chorizo and lemon juice; add salt and pepper to taste. If using spinach, stir it in with the chorizo. Ladle the soup into bowls; sprinkle each with some paprika and serve with garlic bread, if desired.
Makes 6 servings