Mustard, Cauliflower & Cheddar Soup
Bold and rich, with the ability to add a bright and fiery flavour to an impressive array of seasonal dishes, mustard is a must-have pantry staple. Let's take mustard from the sidelines as a simple condiment to the star ingredient. A touch of mustard added to this creamy and delicious cauliflower soup gives it just the zing it needs.Ingredients
Serves 4 to 6
1 x 14 oz (398 ml) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 tbsp (15 ml) grapeseed oil
4 tbsp (60 ml) Dijon mustard, divided
½ tsp (2.5 ml) smoked paprika
3 tbsp (45 ml) unsalted butter
1 large onion, chopped
kosher salt, to taste
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups (750 ml) chicken stock
2 large parsnips, peeled, chopped into ½-in (1.25 cm) pieces
1 large cauliflower, about 2 lbs (1 kg)
trimmed, roughly chopped
1¼ cups (310 ml) whole milk
⅓ cup + ¼ cup (135 ml) whipping cream, divided
½ cup (125 ml) shredded strong cheddar, plus extra for serving
1 tbsp (15 ml) wholegrain mustard
chopped fresh parsley leaves or chives, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C). Place a rimmed baking tray in oven to warm while it preheats.
- In a medium bowl, toss together chickpeas, grapeseed oil, 1 tbsp (15 ml) Dijon mustard and paprika. Pour seasoned chickpeas onto hot baking tray in a single layer. Roast for 10 minutes, give a toss, then roast again until golden and crisp, about 10 to 15 minutes more. Set aside to cool on baking tray while making soup.
- To make soup, in a large saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add onion and season lightly with salt. Cover saucepan and cook onion, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes. Uncover and stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add stock, increase heat to medium-high and bring mixture to a boil. Add parsnips and cauliflower, cover saucepan, reduce heat to low and let mixture simmer, stirring occasionally, until cauliflower and parsnips are very tender, about 30 to 40 minutes.
- Remove saucepan from heat and stir in milk. In a blender, purée mixture in batches until velvety smooth. Return soup to saucepan and whisk in ⅓ cup (75 ml) whipping cream and remaining 3 tbsp (45 ml) Dijon. Remove saucepan from heat and whisk cheddar into soup until melted. Season to taste with additional Dijon mustard and salt.
- In a small bowl, whisk together remaining ¼ cup (60 ml) whipping cream with wholegrain mustard. Set aside.
- To serve, ladle soup into warmed bowls and garnish with a drizzle of mustard cream, crispy chickpeas, a sprinkle of cheddar cheese and chopped herbs. Serve immediately.