Cauliflower soup with crunchy chickpeas – Vellutata di cavolfiore con ceci croccanti
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
$4-6 total*
2 people
Ingredients
Soup:
- 1 head of cauliflower
- 1 medium potato
- 1 white onion
- 1 liter (4 cups) vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, more to garnish
- salt to taste
Crunchy chickpeas:
- 1 can (15.5 oz/439 g) chickpeas
- 100 g (3.6 oz) of the head of cauliflower
- 1/4 cup (about 20) almonds
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 spring of fresh thyme, more to decorate
- smoked paprika to taste
- black pepper to taste
Preparation
Start preparing the crunchy chickpeas and the broth.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C), placing the rack at the top position.
Drain, rinse and pat dry the chickpeas. Roughly chop the almonds. Wash the thyme.
Wash the cauliflower and cut into florets. Cut some of the florets into smaller pieces (about 1 cup) to roast with the chickpeas and set aside the remaining bigger florets.
On a large baking sheet, toss the small pieces of cauliflower, chickpeas, thyme, and almonds with the salt, paprika, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
Roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring once or twice through the cooking time.
Meanwhile, prepare the soup.
Wash and finely dice the onion. Wash, peel and cut into cubes the potato.
Place 2 tbsp of oil in a dutch oven or a heavy pot. Add the diced onion and sautée at low-medium heat for 2 minutes.
Add the potatoes and cauliflower florets and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add the hot broth, cover with a lid and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Puree the ingredients right in the pot with an immersion blender, until the soup is smooth.
Season with salt.
Serve by adding the chunky chickpeas, fresh thyme leaves. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil.
Tips & notes
- For additional creaminess, you can add heavy cream – but the soup it’s delicious as it is!
- You can store the soup in an airtight container for up to 2 days in the fridge.
* Price range estimated from local markets and supermarkets (it can change according to season, location and product quality)
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