I used to make cauliflower with olive oil, rosemary, 16 cloves of garlic (yes, 16!) and salt but since I’ve stopped using added oils and salt I’ve had to find new recipes. This soup turned out really good! It’s nice and creamy yet dairy-free, oil-free and very low salt (depending on what you decide to use for broth). The cashews are an excellent addition. Our toddler loved this soup!

The original recipe is from Healthy Blender Recipes. I added lemon thyme, black pepper and cayenne sprinkled on top. I chose buckwheat for my grain since that’s what I had on hand for the day.

• 8 cups of strong vegetable broth – I used half low-sodium veggie broth/half water
• Leftover bean cooking liquid for sautéing OR just use water if you’re trying to stay oil-free (Olive oil if you’re not) **NOTE: I save the leftover bean cooking liquid from my pressure cooker and use it in place of oil in recipes… works great and it’s much better for you! I use mostly chickpea 🙂
• 1 whole head of garlic roasted
• The white part of 2-3 leeks washed and chopped
• 1 large head of cauliflower chopped
• 1/2 tsp dried lemon thyme (or regular thyme is fine)
• 1/2 cup raw cashews (you could also use raw blanched almonds) – soaked in hot water for around 20 minutes
• 4 Tbsp chives chopped finely to garnish
• cayenne pepper to serve on top
• white or black pepper, to taste
• organic brown rice, quinoa or millet to serve – I served with buckwheat

1. Place the whole head of garlic unpeeled in an oven at 400 F for about 30 minutes. Allow to cool slightly. (This makes the house smell REALLY GOOD!)
2. In a large saucepan fry the leek in a little bean cooking liquid until soft. (About 3 minutes)
3. Add in the cauliflower and stir for a couple of minutes until well coated. Squeeze in the roasted garlic pulp.
4. Cover with the vegetable broth/water. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat to a medium flame, and simmer partially covered for about 30 minutes until the cauliflower is soft.
5. Let the mixture cool enough to put batches in the blender (I like to use a Vitamix), and puree with the cashews until smooth and creamy.
6. Transfer to a clean pot and heat on low to serve. Season with salt (if you wish) and white or black pepper, to taste.
7. To serve – top each bowl with a grain ball and a generous sprinkle of chives. Top with a little cayenne pepper.

This soup serves six people and makes really great leftovers!

Tags: Black pepper, Cauliflower, cauliflower soup, Cayenne pepper, creamy cauliflower, creamy cauliflower soup, creamy vegan soup, garlic, garlic pulp, olive oil, organic brown rice, raw cashews, salt, soup, tbsp chives, thyme, vegan cauliflower soup