Cauliflower soup critiqued with love ~

Blue soup bowl purchased just for Blue Monday ~ :)

Soup with kids.   On Wednesday.

Sitting at the computer, I say, "The soup had too much sage didn't it?  I'm going to reduce the amount of sage."  

Former Little Dude - "Yes, it did."  Looking over at me, "You're not going to post that soup on your blog are you?"  Said tenderly, "It wasn't that great of a soup.  The picture you took doesn't look very good.  I don't care for cauliflower a whole lot"  Well, now.  Okay.  

A few minutes later Miss Annie and Little Miss Sofia enter the room.  I mention the soup.  Annie, "I loved the soup!  It was great!  It tasted cheesy, it was delicious."  Okie dokie.  I have not lost my soup palette mind.

Miss Sofia, "It was okay.  I don't care for that flower stuff."  Young, honest, verbal.

It seems Annabelle and I liked it just fine.

Fast forward to Soup with Kids on Saturday afternoon - they happily and quickly ate leftovers of this, all with lots of yummy sounds and expressions - all three of them.  Go figure.  Me?  I love this brothy soup and will impose it on them again.  :)

Just Fine Kitchen Sink Cauliflower Soup ~

(A bunch of leftovers redone)

2 - 4 T. olive oil
1 medium onion
1 large carrot, peeled, thinly sliced in rounds or half rounds
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 T. flour
1 qt. chicken stock, more if desired
1 tsp. sage, chiffonade
Two bay leaves
2 tsp. fresh thyme leaves
Stalk or two of rosemary with leaves - no old brown stalk. This is an infusion, to pull out like the bay leaves
1 1/2 c. shredded chicken breast
2 c. roasted cauliflower 
3/4 c. heavy cream 
4 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, grated 
Salt and pepper

• Heat a stock pot over medium, add olive oil.  Add onion and carrots, toss in some kosher salt, saute until onions have some color. 
• Add the garlic, saute for 30 seconds or so longer.  Add 2 more tablespoons oil, then the flour.  Cook the flour for a minute or less.  
• Add the stock, herbs, chicken cauliflower, and cream.  Heat to under a simmer so as not to break the cream and cheddar, 30 minutes to marry all flavors.  

Happy Blue Monday!!

Homemade whole wheat sandwich bread with oats and walnuts for grilled cheese and shallot sandwiches, served with this soup