Fresh from the garden: cauliflower

Recipe source: adapted from www.taste.com.au

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Equipment:
·  large saucepan
·  sharp knives
·  cutting boards
·  scales
·  measuring spoons
·  measuring cups
·  wooden spoon
·  peeler
·  plate
·  3 x small bowls
·  paper towel
·  baking tray
·  baking paper
·  ramekins
·  soup ladle
·  stick blender / Ingredients:
·  ½ cauliflower
·  500g potatoes
·  2 litres chicken stock
·  4 cloves garlic
·  ½ cup cream
·  250g bacon
·  2½ tablespoons olive oil
·  salt & pepper

What to do:

·  Preheat oven to 180 degrees.

·  Wash the cauliflower. Trim and cut into small florets. Set aside.

·  Scrub potatoes thoroughly. Peel and dice into cubes. Do not discard peels.

·  Place peels into a small bowl. Pour 2 teaspoons of olive oil over the peels, add a pinch of salt and mix well. Place peels on a baking tray lined with baking paper and cook in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until crisp.

·  Trim any fat off bacon and cut into small pieces.

·  Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add bacon and cook for 3 minutes or until crisp. Place bacon on a plate lined with paper towel. Set aside.

·  Add 2 teaspoons oil and garlic to the pan and cook, stirring often for 5 minutes.

·  Add the chicken stock, cauliflower and potato. Increase heat to high and stir occasionally until boiling.

·  Reduce heat to low and simmer until vegetables are tender. Stir in the bacon.

·  Remove from heat and blend soup using a hand held stick blender until smooth.

·  Stir in cream & a pinch of salt & pepper.

·  Ladle into bowls and sprinkle potato peel onto each.

·  Serve with warm crusty bread rolls.

Note: What other vegetables do you think would be great in soups? What does florets mean? What other vegetables can be cut into florets?