Creamy Cauliflower Soup

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 medium onion (chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 large head cauliflower (cut into florets)
• 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 1 bay leaf (optional)
• 2-3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1/2 cup heavy/whipping cream
• Salt & pepper (to taste)

Instructions

1. 1

   Add the oil, butter, and onion to a soup pot over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion for 5 minutes or until it's starting to lightly brown.

2. 2

   Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

3. 3

   Add in the broth, cauliflower, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, bay leaf, and fresh thyme sprigs. Increase the heat to high and bring the soup to a boil. Cover the pot with the lid slightly ajar and reduce the heat so it's simmering for about 20 minutes (or until the cauliflower is very soft).

4. 4

   Remove the bay leaf and thyme sprigs. You may want to let the soup cool a bit prior to blending it. I used my immersion blender, but feel free to use a regular blender and carefully blend it in batches.

5. 5

   Stir in the cream and season with salt & pepper as needed (it definitely requires additional salt as cauliflower isn't super flavorful on its own).