Cauliflower (© Photographer: Andrey Armyagov | Agency: Dreamstime.com)

Autumn’s well underway in America’s northern climes and that means it is soup-making time. This hearty soup recipe comes from Terese Allen of Organic Valley Family of Farms. Organic Valley is a farmer-owned coop that believes, “The earth's most delicious, most healthful foods are made when farmers work in harmony with nature.” The organization started with seven farmers forming an organic farming cooperative in 1988. Today, membership has grown to over 1,100 family farms.

Back to the soup! Here’s what author Terese Allen had to say about it, “Ever since the cold, soggy day in Edinburgh when I first tasted this soul-satisfier at a restaurant, I knew I would have to replicate it at home.” We’re sure glad she did! She recommends using the freshest produce available and organic ingredients whenever possible. That’s great advice for a wonderful recipe for getting warmed up when the weather has cooled. Come to think of it, that’s great advice for every recipe!

Ingredients for 6 Servings

• 2 Tablespoons Organic Valley Butter
• 1 Cup Chopped Leeks
• 5 Cups Chopped Cauliflower
• 3 1/2 Cups Vegetable stock
• 1/2 Cup Organic Valley Half-and-half
• 1 Tablespoon Chopped Fresh Tarragon, Divided in Half
• 4-6 ounces Crumbled Blue Cheese, Divided in Half
• Salt & White Pepper to Taste

Preparation

1. Melt butter in pot over medium-low heat.
2. Add leeks; cook until tender.
3. Add cauliflower and enough stock to barely cover cauliflower; simmer until cauliflower is tender, 12-15 minutes.
4. Coarsely puree the solids with a little of the liquid.
5. Re-combine solids and liquid in the pot.
6. Stir in half-and-half, plus half the tarragon, and simmer slowly 3-4 minutes.
7. Stir in half the cheese; season with salt and white pepper to taste.
8. Ladle soup into bowls, sprinkling some of the remaining blue cheese and tarragon over each one.

Copyright by Terese Allen for Organic Valley Family of Farms ©

To visit the web site of the farmers' coop go to: Organic Valley Family of Farms

If you’d like to try this recipe using an outstanding artisanal blue cheese click on either of the following:
1. Buttermilk Blue Cheese
2. Buttermilk Blue Cheese Affinee