{Recipe Files}: Cauliflower Chowder

MG and I got in late last night from our weekend in Minnesota (highlights from that coming!), but in the meantime, I thought I'd share with you a recent dish I tried--and since we're coming back from our trip to some chilly weather, it seems like the perfect recipe to warm you up!
This is another one from Damn Delicious, and another one that does not disappoint!

What You Need:

~2 Tbsp unsalted butter
~ 2 cloves of garlic, minced (1 tsp from jar)
~ 1 onion diced (I only did 1/2 onion)
~1 head cauliflower, cut into small pieces
~2 stalks celery, sliced into small pieces
~ 2 carrot, sliced or chopped (I used 3/4 bag of grated carrot)
~4 cups chicken broth (I used reduced sodium)
~ 1 Cup 2% milk
~1/4 Cup flour
~4 strips of bacon, cooked (or just use bacon bits)
~1 bay leaf
~ salt and pepper to taste

What You Do:
1. If you're using bacon, cook it first.

2. In a large pot, or Dutch oven, melt the butter. Add in the garlic, onion, carrots and the celery. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring, until tender.
3. Add in the cauliflower and the bay leaf.  Continue stirring and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
4. Whisk in the flour until lightly browned (about 1 minute) and then gradually add in the chicken broth and milk, whisking until it is slightly thickened (3-4 minutes).
5. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat and let simmer for about 12-15 minutes, until the cauliflower are tender (it's ok to taste test!). Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
If the chowder is too thick, just add in a bit more milk (this was not a problem for me).
It may be a bit watery even...mine was still fine.
I actually used my immersion blender to try and blend things up a bit more, which I thought was helpful (but if you don't have one, it's totally ok).

6. Spoon everything out into a bowl, and top your soups with some bacon crumbles!

My husband said that this tasted like potato soup (the bacon definitely helps with that), but this doesn't have the carbs that potato soup has, and no cream either. Definitely a healthier option!
Bon appetit!

27 comments:

  1. The healthier version of this has to be tried by me! I remember getting loaded potato soup from chili's, it was so good!!! Thanks for sharing this girl! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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  2. I love anything with cauliflower and did you say bacon? Lol YUM!! This sounds so wonderful! I love hving a new soup recipe to add to my list, I can't wait to make this! Have a wonderful day

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  3. That looks so good! I think I'll make that over the weekend. My trader joe's was no lie like out of soup last night. It gets cold here for one day and look what happens!

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  4. This looks so good! Perfect for the chilly weather we're having!!

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  5. This sounds perfect for a chilly fall night! Yum!

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  6. This looks so stinking delicious! Thanks for sharing!

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  7. I cannot wait to try this! I love soup and chowder in general and this healthier version is calling to me!! Thanks for sharing, friend!! xo

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  8. Yum! I'm often looking for good ways to use cauliflower in a meal. This sounds likes something my boys would really like!

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  9. Oh my, this looks delicious! I am craving soup and you may have just provided the recipe for what I'll be making this weekend! Xo, Stephanie

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  10. You hit my weak spot with the soups! Come fall/winter that's pretty much all I ever want to eat! Love that this is a healthier option too! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes

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  11. Mmmm, this looks so so so good! A perfect lazy weekend meal, YUM!

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  12. This looks delicious! We've been doing soups every Sunday lately and after our potato soup this past weekend I was a little too full after - this would be great as an alternative!

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  13. I adore cauliflower and cauliflower soup. This looks excellent!

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  14. mmmm this looks so good. i love damn delicious, i was pinning a bunch of recipes from her today and everything i have tried has been a huge hit.

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  15. That looks so tasty! When it finally starts to cool off here in Texas, I'm gonna have to make that!

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  16. Looks amazing! Soup days are definitely ahead and I love substituting cauliflower for potatoes recently.

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  17. Yum! I'm on a new recipe kick (just spent almost 200 on the dern grocery store!!! YIKES) so I'm definitely going to have to try this one too!

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  18. AS soon as I saw the name I knew this recipe. I have the exact one and it is our favorite. I tweaked ours a bit swapping out the onions for leeks. I have blogged about it too. It is so good. The potato soup description, everyone says the same thing over here. Always enjoy having you on Tuesday Talk.

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  19. Maybe I'll tell my husband it's potato and then when he eats it all I'll tell him it was cauliflower...that outta trick him into eating vegetables ;) Great recipe. Thanks for sharing!
    The Rad Wife

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  20. Ryan would love this if it tastes like potato soup - we'll have to give it a go!

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  21. Mmmmm this looks so good for cool fall nights!

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  22. I hate cauliflower, but if this really tastes like potato soup then I need to make some asap!

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