Luscious Simplicity: Cauliflower, Almond and Turmeric Soup

It has taken me little short of two months to try this recipe for Cauliflower, Almond and Turmeric soup. My friend and fellow student; Julie Winterton blogged the recipe at the beginning of the year, and it caught my attention. However, at least two cauliflowers got flitched to make cauliflower cheese; comfort food for my brother, but despite being raised at the same dinner table I attribute my reticence about cauliflower to that same dish! But quite simply I am a convert to the silky, creamy nutritious simplicity of this soup. Having resolved to get to the cauliflower first, I discovered I did not have all Julie's ingredients, so I made a few substitutions (in brackets): 

1 large (red) onion, finely chopped 
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped 
1 large cauliflower, florets roughly chopped, stalk sliced 
70g ground almonds 
1 litre veg stock 
1 tsp turmeric (I used about an inch of fresh turmeric, finely sliced) 
½ tsp ground fenugreek (I used Zatar) 
½ tsp ground ginger (I used a good knob of fresh ginger, finely sliced) 

Melt large knob of butter (or coconut oil) in a pan, add onion, garlic, turmeric, Zatar, ginger, & cauliflower stalk.
Gently, cook until the onions soften 
Stir in almonds to coat the other ingredients, then add stock 
Simmer for 10 mins before adding cauliflower florets. 
Simmer for 20-25 mins, stirring occasionally, ensuring stalks & florets are cooked and soft. 
Take off the heat, and blitz in a blender until smooth. Optionally you can add 300-400ml of yoghurt, but I found I did not needed it. 
Sprinkle with zatar and pinenuts (or salt and pepper, or flaked almonds). 

And savour!

Not only is this dish delicious but it has some kick ass nutritional qualities, it is a good source of protein (thanks to the cauliflower and almonds), but more importantly:

• cauliflower is a member of the brassica family which work well with the liver assisting it detoxify the body,
• cauliflower and ginger are a good source of Vitamin C, which is a potent antioxidant and well as supporting our immune system,
• cauliflower, turmeric AND ginger all have great anti inflammatory properties.  Inflammation is deemed to at the core of many chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and cancer.  It stands to reason that eating foods which help to regulate our inflammatory response could reduce our risk from these diseases.

So go on, have a second, guilt-free bowl,... I know I did!

Take a look at Julie's blog for more inspiring recipies.

For more information on the nutritional benefits of cauliflower, almonds, turmeric and ginger, take a look at:

The World's Healthiest Foods