Creamy Cauliflower Soup

December 1, 2014 by Elizabeth Leave a Comment

Rich, velvety, and packed with flavor. Fresh cauliflower, onions, garlic and spices, pureed together and simmered to perfection. Creamy Cauliflower Soup is rich, healthy, and loaded with nutrients.

I hope you had a spectacular Thanksgiving! It has been a whirlwind of a weekend around here. Birthdays, Thanksgiving, and even a parade, oh my! 🙂 We cooked and relaxed on Thanksgiving morning, and then headed over to my in-laws for an early family dinner that evening. Friday morning we bundled up and headed to the Santa Claus Parade with my parents. The boys loved seeing the fire trucks and police cars. After a full hour of watching the parade, Santa finally made his appearance. We were all FROZEN, but the boys were so excited to see him, that it made it all worth it. (Note to self for next year, if it’s that cold again, go late! ;))

Another highlight of our weekend was William’s 5th birthday party. His actual birthday is on Tuesday, but we’re celebrating a bit early this year. I can’t believe that my first baby is (almost) FIVE! Where did the time go? William and his buddies had such a blast today! Dinosaurs, ornament making, cupcakes and friends, what could be better? William loved his party and we are all so thankful for wonderful friends and family. James was fascinated with the older kids and joined right in on the action, and Charlie was content just hanging out. What a perfect afternoon!

Here are a few pictures from our weekend, and William’s birthday party.

Who knew that rich and healthy could be found in the same bowl?! If you’re feeling like the Thanksgiving weekend has set you back a bit, replenish your system with a giant bowl of this nutritious Creamy Cauliflower Soup!

I created this soup right before having Charlie, as one of our many freezer meals to enjoy after his arrival. I remember looking at Andrew one night in the kitchen, probably around 9:00, and asking him if we had enough food for after the new baby. (Let’s be honest, with BOTH of our freezers packed with over 60 meals that I had already made, of course we had enough food ;)). However, as I looked at him, and remembered the two huge heads of cauliflower that were sitting in the fridge, I somehow talked us both into the idea that we could always use a few more meals.

It might have been late, but that didn’t stop me from whipping up a new kitchen creation. There was just something about cauliflower soup that sounded so yummy. Cauliflower, onions, garlic, broth, wine, and spices, how could you go wrong? Once I got the flavors just where I wanted them, I went to work on the texture. At first, I didn’t want to mess around with having to wash out our blender (I guess I was just being lazy), so I tried to mush up some of the veggies with a potato masher. After a few minutes of hardcore smashing, I just wasn’t loving the consistency that I was getting. Soooo…. ladle soup into blender, turn on for 20 seconds, and voila! Creamy, velvety goodness! I decided to reserve a bit of the cauliflower mixture, because as much as I wanted a pureed soup, it still needed to have some texture. This Creamy Cauliflower Soup comes together in no time, and is the perfect light addition to any meal. Serve it as a vegetarian entree with extra cheese and a side salad, or enjoy it before your meal as the perfect appetizer. This soup is tasty, filling, and super good for you! If you’re craving something a little more on the hearty side, you can always add a touch of cream. Otherwise, enjoy it without, for a little “post-Thanksgiving rejuvenation”. I love it both ways! However you cook it up, you will love diving into a huge bowl of this Creamy Cauliflower Soup goodness.

Creamy Cauliflower Soup

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 large onions, diced
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 large heads cauliflower, chopped
2 quarts low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon dried parsley
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)

Instructions

In a large stock pot, heat oil over medium heat until hot. Add onion and 1 teaspoon salt, and stir. Cook for about 7-8 minutes until onions are tenders, stirring occasionally. Stir in garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add cauliflower, broth, wine and parsley, and stir. Then cover and cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cauliflower is soft.
Reserve 2 cups of the cooked cauliflower mixture in a small bowl and set aside. Carefully ladle remaining cauliflower mixture into a blender or Vitamix, and puree until smooth. (Working in two batches if needed). Return soup to stock pot, add reserved 2 cups cauliflower mixture to the soup, and 1/2 cup cream (if using), and stir. Heat soup over medium heat until hot. Do not boil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Spoon into bowls and serve with parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

This soup is delicious with or without the cream. For a richer soup, add the heavy cream, and for a lighter soup, omit. If freezing this soup, make sure to add the cream after it has been frozen, when reheating.

http://elizabethshome.com/creamy-cauliflower-soup/

If you’re looking for another healthy creamy soup recipe, be sure to try my Cream of Mushroom Soup or my Low-Fat Cream of Broccoli Soup.

Cream of Mushroom Soup

October 6, 2014 by Elizabeth 1 Comment

Fresh mushrooms, tender shallots, garlic, spices, and a splash of cream, pureed together to create a warm bowl of velvety goodness. This Cream of Mushroom Soup is the perfect meal for a brisk fall day.

Happy Sunday! It sure has started to feel a lot like fall around here. Some of our big events this week included story time at the library, lunch at the zoo, Andrew heading off on another business trip, errands, and lots of family fun this weekend.

Oh, and I guess I should mention the biggest highlight of our week: Tuesday (September 30th) was our 8th anniversary! Wow! I can’t even believe it has been EIGHT years already! We have certainly had our share of adventures throughout the last eight years. Three kids, six jobs, five moves, two states, three trips to Europe, and tons of laughs and other fun in between. I couldn’t be more thankful and appreciate of my incredible husband, Andrew! What an amazing blessing it is to share my life with him! Eight years ago we got married at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Detroit, Michigan, had our reception at Atlas Global Bistro, and then the next night headed to Paris and Italy for our three week honeymoon. Here are a few of our pictures 🙂

As the weather gets colder, snuggle up with the ones you love, and dig into a warm bowl of Cream of Mushroom Soup. This is such a fantastic fall (or anytime) recipe. Comforting, filling, and loaded with tons of healthy, good for you mushrooms. I was just reading something the other day saying HOW great mushrooms are for us! An even better reason to LOVE this soup, right?!

My inspiration for this recipe came from America’s Test Kitchen‘s lighter version of Cream of Mushroom Soup. I tested and tweaked it enough times that I finally had to create my own recipe. I just love the complexity of the flavors that this soup has, yet how simple it seems. I love serving this soup for dinner, with hot, fresh bread and butter, and a side salad with protein. I just started adding fresh parmesan cheese and chives on top, and it is fantastic! I definitely recommend the parmesan 🙂 You could also serve this soup for a lovely fall luncheon, or just pour it in a mug, top with cheese, and dive in.

Another plus with this soup, is that it freezes well, too! This is one of the recipes that I made a huge batch of right before we had Charlie. It’s such a treat to have homemade creamy mushroom soup right after having a baby (or anytime during the fall or winter), without having to fuss in the kitchen. If you’re looking for a great recipe that’s super freezer friendly, this is it.

When you’re thinking about your menu for the week, don’t forget to add this Cream of Mushroom Soup to the top of your list!

Cream of Mushroom Soup

Ingredients

7 large shallots, minced (about 2 1/2 cups)
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon salt
6 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2 1/4 pounds (36 ounces) white mushrooms, wiped clean and sliced 3/4 inch thick
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
4 cups (1 quart) hot water
1/2 ounce dried porcini mushrooms
1 cup half-and-half
3 tablespoons dry sherry
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Salt and fresh ground pepper
Fresh parmesan cheese and chives for serving

To Double:

14 large shallots, minced (about 5 cups)
4 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons salt
12 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
4 1/2 pounds (72 ounces) white mushrooms, wiped clean and sliced 3/4 inch thick
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
8 cups (2 quarts) hot water
1 ounce dried porcini mushrooms
2 cups half-and-half
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons dry sherry
4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Salt and fresh ground pepper
Fresh parmesan cheese and chives for serving

Instructions

In a large stockpot over medium-low heat, add the oil, shallots and salt. Stir together, then cover and cook for about 8-10 minutes or until softened, stirring frequently. Then stir in the garlic and nutmeg and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
Then add the white mushrooms and stir. Turn the heat to medium and cook for about 7 more minutes, until the mushrooms are soft and start to release their juices, stirring occasionally. Then turn the heat to medium-low, and cook for about 20 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms have released all of their liquid.
Add the broth, water, and porcini mushrooms, and stir. Over medium-high heat, bring mixture to a boil, then cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for about 20 minutes until mushrooms are tender. Remove soup from heat.
Working in two batches, carefully add half of the soup mixture to a blender or food processor, and puree until smooth. Then pour pureed soup into a clean sauce pan, and stir in half-and-half, and cook for about 3 minutes over low heat, until hot. (Do not boil) Remove from heat, and add the sherry and lemon juice and stir. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with fresh grated parmesan cheese and a garnish of chives on top.

Notes

Heavy cream, or even whole milk can be substituted for the half-and-half, depending on the creaminess desired.

To freeze soup: make as directed, omitting half-and-half. Cool soup in refrigerator, then freeze in an airtight container. When ready to use, place soup in refrigerator the night before to thaw, then cook over low heat until warm. Stir in half-and-half and cook for about 3 minutes until hot. (Do not boil).

http://elizabethshome.com/cream-of-mushroom-soup/

Pasta with Tomatoes, Basil and Fresh Mozzarella

August 7, 2014 by Elizabeth Leave a Comment

Beautifully ripened tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, garlic, basil, and perfectly cooked pasta, tossed together to create a great summer dish. Pasta with Tomatoes, Basil and Fresh Mozzarella is an easy to make, simple recipe, that is sure to be a crowd pleaser for any occasion.

Let’s celebrate, it’s Thursday! There’s just something so wonderful about Thursdays. I guess it’s the fact that most of the work week is complete, and the thrill of the upcoming weekend is finally within reach. Let’s enjoy our evening, and be thankful for a great day. I’m celebrating with a special #tbt (Throwback Thursday) post!

William was just 19-months-old when we headed off to Europe with him (for the third time). Everything I had read before we left, said not to take your toddler to Rome, especially in the month of July. However, being fairly adventurous travelers, and completely up for a challenge, we decided to embrace an incredible opportunity. What an amazing trip it was! We are so blessed to have had this experience, and we cannot wait for our next time abroad. (Although with three little ones, we might have to plan it out just a bit more ;)).

Come join me as we stroll through a few pictures from our journey to Rome, back in July 2011.

The food in Rome, and Europe in general, is out of this world! Nothing says “Italy” more than a giant bowl of pasta. One of my favorite meals from our trip was this amazing dish. We were at a darling little restaurant that was located down a popular alley. Thankfully, we were just early enough to beat the dinner crowd. We learned that timing was an important factor when in Rome, in July, with a toddler. That night we enjoyed our dinner outside on the patio. The street was bustling, and a musician was playing nearby. What a fantastic way to dine in Rome! I ordered this wonderful pasta dish with short pasta, tomatoes, basil and fresh mozzarella, (as you can see). It was so yummy, and yet so simple. I enjoyed this meal so much on our trip, that I knew it would be a great one to recreate at home!

When summer roles around, there are a few flavors that I often feel compelled to work into our menu. I just adore the combination of tomatoes, mozzarella and basil! The ripeness of the tomatoes play a huge role in the end result of this recipe. Try to find the freshest, ripest tomatoes that you can. When it comes to preparing the basil, here is an excellent visual of the best way to thinly slice (chiffonade) basil.

Thanks for joining me on our flashback to Rome! Now, put your feet up and relax. Imagine you’re sitting on the patio of a fine Italian restaurant, and enjoy the goodness of these fresh summer flavors.

Pasta with Tomatoes, Basil and Fresh Mozzarella

Ingredients

2.5 pounds tomatoes (about 5 large tomatoes, or 10-12 Roma tomatoes), halved and seeds and pulp removed, then diced into 1/8-inch chunks
20 large fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced (see note below)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil (good quality)
Salt and pepper, (fresh ground), to taste
16 ounces campanelle pasta (or substitute penne or fusilli)
1 pound fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/2-inch chunks (room temperature)
Fresh grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

Combine the tomatoes, basil, garlic, oil, and a generous amount of salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Stir together, then cover with plastic wrap and let sit out (do not refrigerate) for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours. Stirring occasionally.
Cook pasta until al dente, make sure to reserve 1 cup of the cooking water, then drain.
In a large bowl, toss the pasta with the tomato mixture and fresh mozzarella. Add some of the cooking water if needed to loosen the consistency of the sauce. Serve immediately, and top with fresh grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

To thinly slice (chiffonade) basil, stack 10 of the basil leaves on top of each other, then tightly roll them up the long way. Using a sharp knife, slice rolled basil into very thin slices. Then fluff and gently separate slices.

This is dish is usually served slightly warm from the heat of the cooked pasta. However, if you desire to have the cheese melted, or for a slightly different experience, this dish (or portions of it) can be placed in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, without further cooking the pasta or tomatoes. Leftovers can also be reheated in the microwave for a minute or two.

http://elizabethshome.com/pasta-with-tomatoes-basil-and-fresh-mozzarella/

Feel free to check out the earlier version of this Pasta with Tomatoes, Basil and Fresh Mozzarella recipe on my old blog.

Summer Asparagus, Mushroom and Onion Salad

July 13, 2014 by Elizabeth Leave a Comment

Crunchy asparagus and tender mushrooms, sautéed with onions and garlic, and tossed together with fresh herbs and thin shavings of creamy asiago cheese. This Summer Asparagus, Mushroom and Onion Salad is a fresh, healthy favorite, that makes the perfect side dish for any occasion. No need to worry about keeping it cool or heating it up, this summer salad is made to serve at room temperature.

It has been another great week around here. I can’t believe Charlie was 6 weeks old on Friday! What an amazing time we’ve been having with him. He has even been starting to sleep a bit more at night! YAY! (Maybe the extra sleep has something to do with all of our adventures this week.) In addition to our normal day to day activities, this week also included a huge trip to Target on Tuesday, my 6 week post-baby doctors appointment and our weekly lunch with Andrew on Wednesday, a super fun date night out on Friday, a trip to Greenfield Village on Saturday (followed later with a date night in…which leads us to this recipe), and a relaxing and productive Sunday. Busy, but fun. 🙂 Here are a few pictures from our trip to Greenfield Village.Now, let’s talk about one of our favorite new creations, this Summer Asparagus, Mushroom and Onion Salad. The other day at Costco I picked up a huge bag of beautiful, fresh asparagus, and a big carton of mushrooms. They looked delicious and I figured they would be great if I (simply) roasted them in the oven and served them with the steaks that Andrew was going to grill this weekend. Well, somehow my idea to “keep it simple” quickly flew out the window and my wheels were turning. I was thinking how much we LOVE these Oven Roasted Portobello Mushrooms, especially as a side dish with steaks. But since I also had a huge bag of asparagus, and really wanted onions with our steaks as well, the chef in me was eager and determined to create a dish that incorporated all of my visions. 😉 So, I searched for some imagesthat would help to inspire me. (Sometimes I get my inspirations from the recipe itself, and other times I just need a picture to point me in the right direction. In this case, the pictures were all that I needed.)

This asparagus salad looked amazing with the creamy cheese! I loved the addition of the fresh herbs in this warm mushroom asparagus salad, and I jumped on the purple onion idea after coming across this image of roasted asparagus and mushrooms. So, now you have a little insight into how my mind works in the kitchen, and just how some of my recipes are created. 😉

This Summer Asparagus, Mushroom and Onion Salad is a great addition to any meal. Make it, leave it, serve it up and enjoy!

Summer Asparagus, Mushroom and Onion Salad

Ingredients

1 large purple onion, sliced in half, then cut into 1/4 inch slices (crescent moons)
4 cloves garlic, sliced thin
1 pound (medium thickness) asparagus, cut on diagonal, into 1-2 inch pieces
12 ounces white mushrooms, wiped clean and sliced 1/2 inch thick
1/2 cup shaved asiago or parmesan cheese, (with vegetable peeler), plus more for serving
2 teaspoons fresh dill, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (good quality)
Salt and pepper

Instructions

Coat a large non-stick skillet with cooking spray, and heat over high heat. Add onions and garlic and sautee on high for 1 minute without stirring, then cook for another minute, stirring. Add the asparagus and mushrooms and cook for 3-4 more minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing veggies to brown slightly, but do not over cook. (Asparagus and mushrooms should be just cooked slightly, and still have a little crunch to them.) Move veggies to a large serving bowl, and allow to cool until slightly warm, but not hot. Toss with cheese, fresh herbs, oil and salt and pepper to taste. Cover loosely with foil and let rest together for at least 5 minutes, or until ready to serve. Serve salad at room temperature with additional cheese on top, if desired.

http://elizabethshome.com/asparagus-mushroom-and-onion-salad/

White Bean Soup with Tomatoes, Spinach and Pasta

January 22, 2014 by Elizabeth 3 Comments

A healthy, hearty soup with white beans, tomatoes, and fresh spinach, topped with shredded parmesan cheese. Serve with crunchy bread and butter and this soup can be a vegetarian meal in itself. Or, omit the pasta and serve with a side salad and you’ll have the perfect gluten free dinner. There’s just something so delightful about a big bowl of warm, comforting soup that can hit the spot on a chilly night.

Speaking of chilly, it is down right freezing here in Michigan again! Is it spring yet? I’m ready for some warm days where we can actually go outside to play for more than five minutes without losing all feeling in our fingers and toes! Well, soon enough I guess.

In the meantime, we’ve been staying pretty active around here. The boys and I are having fun attending story time at the library, playing with friends, seeing family, and attending different children’s plays in our area. We’ve been busy with the usual day to day things, too. Especially grocery shopping, and planning fun and exciting additions to our menu.

Andrew and I even had a date night out on Monday night. We met up with my sister and had a fabulous dinner out. We went to a great well-known place near her, about a 45-minute drive for us. (We went there for Andrew’s birthday dinner last year, but unfortunately our whole experience was a bust. We let the manager know and they told us to come back for our next dinner on them!) So Monday night, for his birthday dinner re-do, we spent over two hours talking and savoring most things on the menu. Wow, what a perfect night with my husband and sister! I even walked away with a number of great new recipe ideas. 🙂

On a much different note, we’ve had a few health changes in our house lately, so I’m feeling super motivated to create many more of those “good for you” recipes. However, like all of my recipes, TASTE is such a factor here! I mean, let’s be honest, if it claims to be healthy but tastes like glue, why on earth would you touch it? Thankfully, I love experimenting with recipes to create that healthy/tasty perfect combo. I guess you know my new little project for the time being. So, the “healthier” recipes have been moved to the top of my list these days, so I hope you’re up for them!? 🙂

Kicking off our “healthy AND tastes good” recipes, I give you a family-tested and much approved, (yes, even the boys loved it!), White Bean Soup with Tomatoes, Spinach and Pasta. It’s quick, easy, and of course healthy and delicious, too.

White Bean Soup with Tomatoes, Spinach and Pasta

Yield: 4-6 servings

White Bean Soup with Tomatoes, Spinach and Pasta

Ingredients

2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 (15-ounce) cans cannelini beans (drained and rinsed)
2 (15-ounce) cans diced tomatoes and juices
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
3 cups fresh spinach, roughly torn
1/2 cup short pasta, such as ditalini or tubettini (omit for gluten-free)
Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
1 cup water, if needed
Fresh-grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, heat olive oil until shimmering, then add onion and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook until tender, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and stir, cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add beans, tomatoes, broth, basil, and salt and pepper, and stir. Simmer on medium heat for about 30 minutes, until the broth has thickened and reduced a bit, stirring occasionally. Do not boil.
Add pasta and cook for about 10 minutes or until pasta is almost tender. (If omitting pasta, continue cooking for about 10 more minutes). Then add spinach and cook for about 3 minutes or until spinach has wilted. If necessary, add up to 1 cup water. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and serve with Parmesan cheese, and crunchy French bread and butter, or a side salad.

http://elizabethshome.com/white-bean-soup-tomatoes-spinach-pasta/