Lady Bountiful and Cauliflower Soup

"She'll be playing football for Tilling next winter, shorts and a jersey in the Tilling colors and that hat!  And then cutting people up in the hospital!"

Yes, Miss Mapp is very upset with Lucia in the episode "Lady Bountiful" of the Mapp and Lucia BBC series.  Lucia has had some very successful investments and has been giving money to the Tilling sports teams and to the hospital for a new operating theater.  And she has a fabulous new hat that is attention getting and is the focus of Mapp's frustration.  Poor Miss Mapp, she really is no match for Lucia.

I feel like Lady Bountiful every time I come home from the farmer's market.  Bags of gorgeous produce.  Heirloom varieties, super fresh, right from the farmers who grow them.  I am definitely inspired, especially by the orange-yellow colored cauliflower, a variety aptly named "cheddar".  When I find it I always make cauliflower soup.

Cauliflower Soup


Serves 2 people (for more servings pick a larger head and double the recipe)


1 small head of "cheddar" cauliflower, cut into florets
2 tbs. butter
1 leek, washed and cut into 1/2 rounds
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tbs. creme fraiche
a drizzle of olive oil for garnish


Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees

Put the cauliflower florets on a baking sheet and roast for 15-20 minutes until slightly browned.


Melt the butter in a small soup pot, saute the leeks until softened with a little salt to draw out the moisture.  Add the cauliflower and saute with the leeks for a couple of minutes.  Remove a serving size spoonful of the florets and reserve for garnish.  Add the stock to the pot and bring to a simmer, simmer for 5 minutes.  Turn off the heat and puree with an immersion blender.  Add the cream and heat on low until the soup is warmed through.  

Divide into two bowls and garnish each with the reserved cauliflower florets, the creme fraiche and a drizzle of olive oil.

Alongside serve a celeriac and pomegranate salad.  Peel and cut a small celeriac root into matchsticks, marinate in lemon juice and a little salt, dress with mayonaise, bang in the seeds of 1/2 a pomegranate and a small hand full of chopped parsley.

Both these dishes are very good for you, and the creamy cauliflower soup with the crunchy salad is a perfect meal.

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