Now that colder weather has arrived, I’m in the mood for foods that make me feel warm and cozy.  I absolutely hate the cold, and wish I could live in pajamas and warm fuzzy bathrobes all day (fuzzy bathrobes are the best kind of bathrobes, just sayin’).  While pajamas and bathrobes are currently not part of the dress code at my job, changing the dress code at work is one of my top priorities 😉  Until then, drinking hot tea at work to keep my hands (and body) warm will have to do, along with wrapping myself in warm blankets and ignoring the stares of fellow co-workers when I’m wrapped up in my blanket like I burrito.  But I digress.

 This recipe for cauliflower soup is sure to keep you warm and cozy on a cool fall/winter evening.  It’s packed full of flavor (you’ll just have to trust me on this one), and the addition of bacon grease (crazy, I know) takes it to another level entirely!

This recipe is a fan favorite among friends, and is recipe I like to make for anyone, regardless of whether they follow a Paleo/gluten-free lifestyle.

 

You may get words of love and adoration from friends and family after you make this recipe for them.  If you don’t, I hope they at least say thank you for the flavor party that is sure to be happening in their mouths.

If you try out this recipe, please let me know what you think.  I’d love to read your feedback!  What are some things you like to do to keep you warm during the cold season?

Creamy Roasted Cauliflower and Garlic Soup with Sausage, Bacon and Kale

Servings: serves 6-8

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Ingredients (for the sausage):

• 1 pound ground pork
• 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried sage
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, chopped
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Ingredients (for the soup):

• 1 large head of cauliflower, chopped into florets
• 7 cups chicken broth
• 1 large red onion, roughly chopped
• 1/2 head of kale, roughly chopped
• 3-4 slices of bacon, cooked, drained and chopped (reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon grease)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (can sub with coconut milk to make dairy-free)
• 1 head of garlic
• 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons of cooking fat (lard, avocado oil, butter, ghee, tallow)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

For the Sausage:

1. In a medium bowl, combine all of the ingredients for the sausage until everything has been fully incorporated.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the sausage to the skillet, and cook over medium heat until  sausage has browned and cooked through, approximately 10-12 minutes.  Drain excess fat once the sausage is thoroughly cooked, and then set aside.

 

For the Soup:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cauliflower and onion.
4. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of cooking fat onto the cauliflower and onion, and toss to coat.
5. Place the vegetables on the baking sheet in a single layer.
6. Trim the top off the head of garlic.  Place the garlic on a small piece of aluminum foil.  Pour two teaspoons of cooking fat on top of the garlic.  Wrap the foil around the garlic so that it is completely sealed.
7. Place the garlic wrapped in foil on a small corner of the baking sheet.
8. Roast the cauliflower, onions and garlic in the oven for approximately 1 hour until they have softened, (you should be able to pierce the roasted vegetables easily with a fork).  Toss the cauliflower and onions halfway the cooking process.  Once the cauliflower, onions and garlic have finished roasting, remove the baking sheet from the oven.
9. Allow the roasted garlic to cool, and then peel once you are able to safely handle it.
10. Place a large cooking pot on the stove.  Pour the roasted cauliflower and onion into the pot, and then add 7 cups of chicken broth.
11. Bring the mixture to a boil, and then reduce heat to medium low, letting the vegetables simmer in the chicken broth for approximately 30 minutes.
12. Turn the stove off, and pour the roasted vegetables, chicken broth and peeled roasted garlic into a vitamix, and puree until smooth, approximately 2-3 minutes depending on your preference level.  If you don’t have a vitamix, a large high powered food processor should work.
13. After the mixture has  pureed, pour the mixture back into the large cooking pot.
14. Place the pot back on the stove, and reheat the pot using medium heat.  To the pot, add the heavy cream, sea salt, thyme, oregano, paprika, pepper, sausage, bacon, kale and bacon grease and stir until all the ingredients in the mixture are fully incorporated.
15. Cook the soup over medium heat for 8-10 minutes.
16. serve immediately and enjoy!