Cheddar Cauliflower Soup

The following recipe is adapted from La Tartine Gourmande Blog (http://www.latartinegourmande.com/). As always, the author has a few tartine suggestions to go with the meal (a French-style open-faced sandwich): “…a few slices of my favorite bread topped with goat cheese, thin pieces of Alaskan smoked salmon, steamed peels of zucchini and thin slices of pink radish. A few leaves of fresh Thai basil and gomasio complete these quick-to-make tartines."

Cheddar Cauliflower Soup
Serves 4

Ingredients
1 head cheddar cauliflower, washed and cut in pieces
1 large potato, peeled and diced
1 parsnip, peeled and diced
1 stick lemongrass, cut in small pieces
2 tablespoons Thai basil
1 tablespoon coriander, chopped
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger root
2 garlic cloves
1 shallot
4 cups vegetable broth or water
2 tablespoons canola oil
salt and pepper
crème fraîche to serve (optional)
1 zucchini (for the peels, optional)

Directions
1. Cut and discard the outer part of the lemongrass, and slice the stick.
2. Take a large saucepan and heat 2 tablespoons oil.
3. Add the ginger, lemongrass, garlic and shallot and cook for 1 to 2 minutes on low heat until fragrant.
4. Add the vegetables and cook for 5 minutes.
5. Add the stock (or water) and the coriander. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook for 20 minutes. Then add half of the basil and let rest for 2 minutes before mixing the soup in a blender.
6. Serve with the rest of the basil, zucchini strips steamed for 2 min, and a dollop of crème fraîche. Accompany with your favorite tartines.