by Jaden | Main Course, Recipes, Soup | 45 comments
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Garnish is generally the afterthought for the home cook, a sprinkle of herbs to add a splash of color to the dish, a swirl of sauce for a dramatic, decorative flair or a dribble of brandy in French Onion Soup just before serving. Oh well, I take that last one back — in that particular case, the brandy was the star and I built the soup around a dinner guest who, let’s say, really enjoys his booze.
For this Creamy Cauliflower Soup, the garnish was at the forefront of my mind. Anytime I want my kids and husband to try something new, I start with the bacon and the cheese and use that to lure them in.
Evil temptress me.
But it works each and every time. They might not rave on about the dish, might not always eat the entire thing, but I can guarantee that they’ll take a few bites. Though, Andrew has been getting really adept at extracting only the bacon from a dish, no matter how finely chopped the bacon is. I swear he has a pair of tweezers hidden up his sleeve.
While this soup is creamy, there’s not a drop of cream in the soup. The secret is in steaming the cauliflower and pureeing it with broth. We start with 1/2 head of cauliflower, broth (you can use chicken, vegetable or mushroom), gorgonzola cheese and a couple slices of bacon.
First step is to steam the cauliflower until very tender.
Add in the cauliflower into the blender and pour in broth. If you are using an immersion blender you can do this right in the pot.
Let it rip until it becomes a creamy, pureed soup. Taste and season with salt.
Cook your bacon and finely mince.
Ladle the soup into the bowls and garnish with a bit of bacon and gorgonzola cheese.
Creamy Cauliflower Soup with Bacon and Gorgonzola Recipe
This same recipe can be used for broccoli as well!
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Prep Time 8 minutes mins
Cook Time 8 minutes mins
Servings 4
Ingredients
- 1/2 head cauliflower
- 3 cups broth (vegetable, mushroom or chicken)
- salt, to taste
- 2 slices bacon
- 2 tablespoons crumbled gorgonzola cheese
Instructions
Steam the cauliflower until very tender.
In the meantime, cook the bacon until crisp. (For microwave: place the bacon on a couple layers of paper towels, cover with another paper towel, microwave for 5-7 minutes until crisp). Finely mince cooked bacon.
Heat the broth in the microwave.
Drain the cauliflower and add to blender. Pour in the broth, blend on high until smooth. Season with salt to taste. If the soup is too thick, you can add a bit more broth.
Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with bacon and gorgonzola.
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Anneta B on 8/11/19 at 6:28 pm
Wow! Such a simple but delicious recipe. I can make it in my new Instant Pot Ace Blender because it will cook and keep it warm for me after I steam the cauliflower in the Instant Pot. Such a wonderful, healthy, tasty way to ensure my husband eats foods that are good for him but that he would otherwise avoid. I really appreciate your site. I don’t always comment, but when I find recipes that make my life (and his) more healthy and are easy to make, I want to let you know! Thank you. He will love the cheese and bacon. You are a smart woman indeed.
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Kyrsty on 9/14/14 at 12:13 am
My kid really dislikes cauliflower but loved this soup and asked for seconds! I like to mix the blue cheese and bacon in with the soup but yours looks prettier. I’d definitely do the bacon and chees crumbs on top if I was making this for guests. I have also found that cauliflower puree (with a little butter) is awesome with a roast lamb or beef.
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Zoe Menendez on 8/23/11 at 3:05 pm
The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my iPad and tested to see if it can survive a 30 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now destroyed and she has 83 views. I know this is completely off topic but I had to share it with someone!
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My Kitchen in the Rockies on 10/28/10 at 1:46 pm
I make this soup all the time. It is so creamy, I LOVE it.
I cooked your spaghetti squash recipe earlier. It came out wonderfully!Reply
Monica S on 10/14/10 at 9:59 pm
Everyone liked this tasty soup, especially with the bacon and gorgonzola. Although, I can easily see omitting the garnishes for a healthier soup. What makes it unhealthy is my undisciplined noshing on bacon after frying it. As for the cooking process, I’m tempted to try cooking the cauliflower in the chicken broth and wonder why Jaden steams before blending. Is it because it avoids the cruciferous taste in the broth? Because now I have a steamer to clean. Also, I noticed that the recipe states to heat the broth before blending, but the picture shows the broth being poured directly from its container to the blender. I didn’t heat before blending and the soup was nice and warm due to the freshly steamed cauliflower. Keep developing those winning recipes, Jaden. My family looks forward to trying new things and raise eyebrows when you use your “colorful” language on your blog.
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SteamyKitchen on 10/16/10 at 10:16 am
LOL on your undisciplined noshing… ME TOO!
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Lisa T on 10/5/10 at 10:01 pm
We loved this!
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JoJo on 10/1/10 at 4:07 pm
So…This inspired me since I had a bunch of cauliflower in the fridge from the CSA. And then…I got adventurous. I added in some leeks and some potatoes and pureed them with a mix of chicken and veggie stocks. Oh my word deliciousness! Thank you for the inspiration!
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Jasmine on 9/30/10 at 8:23 pm
I just made this tonight. I added cumin and substituted smoked gouda for the cheese. Yummy! I’m watching my calories and this was a perfect light dinner that tasted decadent.
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Jee on 9/30/10 at 5:39 pm
Hi Jaden,
Haven’t been to your blog in ages but you still have mouth watering new recipes for me as always!! 🙂
Just one question – is this meant to be a not-hot soup?? (I’m sure it won’t be cold since the cauliflower should be pretty hot…)
But if the broth wasn’t simmered first…I was wondering what kind of temperature to expect. Thanks for giving me new ideas to infuse veggies to my table!! 🙂Reply
SteamyKitchen on 10/1/10 at 11:29 am
Hey Jee! How are ya!? I like my soup to be warm, not hothothot. But it’s totally up to you!
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delicieux on 9/28/10 at 12:28 am
I love soup and this looks fantastic!! I’ve only just stumbled upon your site and love it. Beautiful food photography.
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heatherchristo.com on 9/27/10 at 11:47 am
Lovely recipe! Have you tried it with the orange cauliflower? I bet the color would be really pretty… But I am pretty sure that the bacon will be the key to getting my 3 year old to eat this!
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Kim in MD on 9/27/10 at 8:06 am
Looks incredible! I don’t eat cauliflower as much as I should, but this may change that! I love the addition of the bacon and gorgonzola…YUM!
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A Wok in the Tuscan Kitchen on 9/27/10 at 12:13 am
mmmmm, you had me at bacon.
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Miranda Merten on 9/26/10 at 10:00 pm
I love that it is so simple, I can easily remember it. Great recipe! Bacon and gorgonzola, oh my!
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Chris on 9/25/10 at 10:59 am
I’m not a big fan of cauliflower but I’m ridiculously in love with gorgonzola and bacon, so I’m conflicted. I was surprised that there is no cream in it.
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Kathy Schleicher on 9/24/10 at 2:17 pm
Jaden –
Had to laugh about the bacon garnish being “the catch” towards my guys (absolutely confirmed cauliflower-haters) at least TRYING this out. Imagine my surprise, also, when two EMPTY bowls were raised, and the actual uttered words, “More, please?”
rang out loud and clear!! WHOA!!Will wonder ever cease…?
I bow down to your genius, creativity and skills.
Thank you!!
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Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction on 9/22/10 at 9:40 pm
I love everything about this recipe! Last year we got TONS of cauliflower from our CSA, so I will be sure to save this recipe when I inevitably have more cauliflower than I know what to do with in a few weeks. The gorgonzola and bacon on top are brilliant.
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kelly on 9/22/10 at 5:05 pm
Love cauliflower soup, but the bacon and cheese in this has to send it over the top. Drool.
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FoodontheTable on 9/22/10 at 3:18 pm
I’ve been looking for a good cauliflower soup and this looks delicious! Then again, it has cheese & bacon. Tough to go wrong with that combo.
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Peredur on 9/22/10 at 2:57 pm
Neither my wife nor I have ever like cauliflower. Why then are both of us salivating over this recipe?
What an original way to serve what is otherwise a rather unpopular vegetable! Bravo!!Reply
Carolyn Jung on 9/22/10 at 11:49 am
That’s what I love about pureeing cauliflower. It gets so creamy and decadent that you’d swear there was cream in it. But you don’t need it. I love making soup like that. It’s also great with a drizzle of truffle oil over the top. 😉
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Chocolatecoveredeverything on 9/22/10 at 12:52 am
This looks yummy and healthy too! I think I might try roasting the cauliflower and then blending it…to get a Roasted Cauliflower soup! Yummmm….I really love any roasted veggie!
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Rabbittrick on 9/22/10 at 12:22 am
This sounds so simple – wait. It IS so simple! Plus I have everything (except gorgonzola) in my fridge, ready for a mid day comfort meal. This is something I can imagine adding different types of cheeses to. Ricotta, blue cheese, anyone? haha.
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The Duo Dishes on 9/21/10 at 10:50 pm
Roasted cauliflower is as far as we’ve gone with it. Soup is on the list. Good thing soup season’s so close.
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Joan Nova on 9/21/10 at 9:04 pm
Looks delicious — and bacon was no surprise. I’ve seen lots of photos of you holding a piece of bacon! 🙂
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Heather@Gourmet Meals for Less on 9/21/10 at 6:05 pm
Looks so beautiful! I am hosting a “Souper Supper” in October and I will be making this one for sure, so different! Thank you for the nice comment on my Steak Sandwich on the Pacific Food challenge, and thanks for sharing this great recipe!
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Alta on 9/21/10 at 4:33 pm
An easy first course or a good lunch! Sounds tasty.
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Sarka on 9/21/10 at 5:50 am
YUM! I love cauliflower soup! My mum used to make the best cauliflower soup when I was a kid. Your recipe looks so easy to make and so delicious! I have to cook it soon, I haven’t had cauliflower soup in ages! Thank you for the inspiration!
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Cherine on 9/21/10 at 3:34 am
A lovely comforting soup… Love the addition of gorgonzola and bacon!!
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Maryann on 9/20/10 at 6:01 pm
Thank you!!! Just got 2 large heads from my inlaws. Kids don’t like cauliflower, this could be the answer to all my grief! Bacon fixes everything.
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Alisa on 9/20/10 at 5:11 pm
I love creamy cauliflower soup. We usually add some spices instead of the toppings, but have also prepared it with bacon and green onions/chives sprinkled on. Yum!
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Rocky Mountain Woman on 9/20/10 at 4:17 pm
It must be fall because I am so craving soup. This is going to be my first soup of the season, tonight!
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Asianmommy on 9/20/10 at 4:11 pm
Thanks for the recipe–this looks so inviting.
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Dawn (KitchenTravels) on 9/20/10 at 2:49 pm
Mmmm… love cauliflower soup. I’ve made my own versions of this with squash or carrots, too… lots of different vegetables work! Your photos of the soup bowls all lined up have a wonderful relaxed “vibe.” Nice! xo
p.s. @Trinidad Pena: your vegetarian idea sounds delicious. 🙂
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Trinidad Pena on 9/20/10 at 2:42 pm
This looks amazing. Do you think this could be good with sun dried tomatoes instead of bacon and vegetable stock because my roommate is vegetarian.
On Another note: Have you seen this contest? http://www.foodbuzz.com/project_food_blog/challenges/1
I think you’d do well.Reply
SteamyKitchen on 9/20/10 at 2:51 pm
Oh yes, of course! Sundried tomatoes would be perfect. And thanks for the link to Foodbuzz – I really don’t enter into contests anymore – I’d rather see one of you guys win! 😉
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Marisa @ Loser for Life on 9/20/10 at 12:21 pm
Dying over this!!! YUM!
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bunkycooks on 9/20/10 at 11:39 am
I love making soups without cream. That way you can save the calories for the bacon and cheese! I will definitely bookmark this as it is a great soup for Fall.
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Cookin Canuck on 9/20/10 at 10:55 am
This is one of my favorite way to make creamy soup – without the cream! The gorgonzola and bacon are a fantastic way to lure suspicious kids into eating their veggies. The tray you serve the soup on is lovely – where did you find it?
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Brian J. Geiger on 9/20/10 at 10:37 am
If you used some heavy cream, and let the cooked bacon steep in it for a little while, the bacon will be infused in the cream. Then you could mix that with the soup, to distribute the bacon-y goodness. I don’t know if that would get any more cauliflower eaten, but it might be worth a try.
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naomi on 9/20/10 at 10:20 am
What a great soup. I’m always having trouble finding recipes for cauliflower. I love that you have paired it with gorgonzola.
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My Kitchen in the Rockies on 9/20/10 at 10:10 am
Cauliflower soup is one of my favorites. It is so velvety and creamy (without the cream!). I will try blue cheese on it. Thanks!
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Jessica @ How Sweet on 9/20/10 at 10:08 am
Bacon and gorgonzola are the only way I will EVER eat cauliflower. 🙂
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