Many of us love to turn to a simple puréed soup for those chilly nights, usually relying on a creamy tomato. But why not step up your soup game with this hearty and wonderfully cozy Cauliflower Soup with Caramelized Apples and Hazelnuts?
This hearty vegan soup gets a thick, velvety texture from the cauliflower, while the curried caramelized apples and hazelnuts make a nice accent (and not to mention, add a bit of crunch). It makes for a perfect swoon-worthy appetizer for guests, or even a light dinner or lunch.
Pro Tip: To add another level of flavor, roast the cauliflower before adding to the pot. Roasting cauliflower brings out its nuttiness and will enhance the flavors in this soup. To roast, drizzle the cauliflower with olive oil and place on a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake in the center of the oven at 450°F until browned and tender – about 25-30 minutes. Turn the florets occasionally so they are evenly cooked.
Ingredients:
- 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced (1¼ cups)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 large head cauliflower, sliced into ½-inch-thick slices (6 cups)
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 2 medium apples, peeled and cut into small pieces (2 cups)
- 1 ½ tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp curry powder
- ½ cup toasted hazelnuts, chopped
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
Directions:
- Heat 2 tbsp oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, sauté 5 to 7 minutes, then add garlic and coriander, and cook 1 minute. Add cauliflower, broth, and 1 ½ cups water, and bring mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 to 25 minutes, or until cauliflower is tender. Cool.
- Blend cooled soup in blender or with immersion blender until smooth, adding more water if soup is too thick. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
- Heat remaining 1 tbsp oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Place apples in single layer in skillet, and cook 5 to 7 minutes, or until apples start to brown, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle sugar over apples, and cook 3 to 5 minutes more, or until sugar melts and starts to caramelize. Stir in curry powder, and sauté 30 seconds. Transfer apples to large plate, spreading apart to keep from sticking together when sugar hardens.
- To serve: ladle warm soup into bowls, and top with caramelized apples, hazelnuts, and parsley.
