This Curried Cauliflower Soup recipe combines the warmth of curry powder with the natural sweetness of roasted cauliflower. Pureed with a touch of mango chutney until smooth and creamy, this easy-to-make soup is cozy, comforting, and satisfying.
1large head cauliflower(about 2 pounds), trimmed and cut into florets*
4tablespoonsextra-virgin olive oil, divided
1large carrot, about ½ cup, diced
1medium yellow onion, about 1 cup, chopped
1large yukon gold potato, about 8 ounces, peeled and diced
½ to 2teaspoonsmild curry powder**
6cupschicken or vegetable stock
1bay leaf
¼cupMajor Grey's chutney
¼cupheavy cream, optional
½cupchopped roasted cashews
¼cupchopped flat leaf parsley
kosher salt and freshly-ground pepper
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place cauliflower florets on a foil-lined baking sheet. Toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper. Spread cauliflower in a single layer. Bake 40 minutes, until cauliflower is tender and golden brown, turning florets halfway through.
Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large pot until shimmering. Add chopped carrots and onions and sauté over medium-high heat until vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in curry powder and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
Add stock, scraping any browned bits off of the bottom of the pot. Stir in roasted cauliflower, diced potato, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, partially covered, until cauliflower and potatoes are very soft, about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove the bay leaf and discard. Stir in mango chutney. Let the soup cool down a bit and then puree it in batches in a blender or food processor until smooth (or use an immersion blender directly in the pot.)
Return puréed soup to pot and add heavy cream, if using. Season to taste with additional curry powder, salt, and pepper. If soup is too thick, add a little bit of water or stock to thin. Serve, garnished with chopped cashews, chopped parsley, and additional roasted cauliflower florets, if desired (see note).
Notes
*I love roasted cauliflower and the textural balance of a few chopped florets against the puréed soup. So, I often roast a second head of florets while the soup is simmering for snacking and garnish. This is, of course, totally optional; the soup is equally delicious as a smooth purée.**This is a bit of a range, I know! The amount of curry powder you use will depend on your personal heat preferences and the profile of the blend you buy. Since curry powders vary so greatly across brands and mixes, it's always a good idea to start conservatively and adjust to taste. It's always easier to dial up the spice by adding more curry powder than to balance out soup that's too spicy.Inspired by Robin Robertson, Fresh from the Vegetarian Slow Cooker