Creamy Roasted Cauliflower & Broccoli Delight
Experience the comforting warmth of this Creamy Roasted Cauliflower & Broccoli Delight soup, where roasted veggies meld perfectly with fragrant herbs to create a deliciously rich yet healthy dish. Packed with nutrients and bursting with flavor, this soup is perfect as a satisfying main course paired with crusty bread or as an elegant side to any meal. Customize the texture by stirring in extra florets for a delightful bite, making it versatile for any occasion.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cauliflower
1/2 large head (Cut into florets)
Broccoli
1/2 head (Cut into florets)
Baby carrots
1 cup (Whole)
Onion
1/2 (Diced)
Garlic
1 clove (Chopped)
Dried oregano or thyme
1 teaspoon (Dried)
Fresh basil
2 teaspoons (Chopped)
Low sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
4-6 cups (Liquid)
Salt
to taste (Seasoning)
Pepper
to taste (Seasoning)
Italian parsley
for topping (Chopped)
Shredded Parmesan cheese
for topping (optional) (Optional garnish)
Cooking spray
as needed (For roasting)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with foil. Lightly coat with nonstick cooking spray.
2
Wash the cauliflower and broccoli thoroughly. Cut them into similarly sized florets and place them alongside the baby carrots on the prepared baking sheet. Spray them lightly with cooking oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast the vegetables for about 30 minutes or until tender, turning them halfway through the cooking time to ensure even roasting.
3
While the vegetables are roasting, prepare the aromatics. Dice the onion and chop the garlic clove. In a saucepan, spray a small amount of cooking oil and heat it over low to medium heat. Add the diced onion, garlic, and dried oregano or thyme, along with fresh basil. Cover and cook until the onion is softened and translucent, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
4
Once the vegetables are roasted, and the onions have softened, pour 1 cup of chicken or vegetable broth into the saucepan with the onion mixture to deglaze the pan, scraping up any flavorful bits stuck to the bottom.
5
In a high-speed blender, combine the roasted vegetables, the sautéed onion mixture, and the remaining broth. Blend until smooth and creamy, adjusting the consistency by adding more broth if needed.
6
Return the blended soup to the saucepan and season with salt and pepper to taste. Heat gently on low until warmed through.
7
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped Italian parsley and shredded Parmesan cheese (if desired) before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary ingredients in the Creamy Roasted Cauliflower & Broccoli Delight?
The main ingredients include cauliflower, broccoli, baby carrots, onion, garlic, and a choice of chicken or vegetable broth, seasoned with herbs like oregano, thyme, and fresh basil.
What temperature should I set my oven to for roasting the vegetables?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C) for roasting the cauliflower, broccoli, and carrots.
How long do the vegetables need to roast?
The vegetables should roast for approximately 30 minutes, or until they are tender.
Is this soup suitable for a vegetarian diet?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian-friendly as long as you use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Is the Creamy Roasted Cauliflower & Broccoli Delight gluten-free?
Yes, based on the ingredients provided, this soup is naturally gluten-free.
Do I need to turn the vegetables while they are roasting?
Yes, it is recommended to turn the vegetables halfway through the 30-minute cooking time to ensure they roast evenly.
How is the creamy texture achieved without heavy cream?
The creaminess comes from blending the roasted cauliflower, broccoli, and carrots with the broth in a high-speed blender until smooth.
What aromatics are used in this soup?
The soup uses diced onion and a chopped garlic clove as its base aromatics.
What herbs are recommended for seasoning?
The recipe calls for dried oregano or thyme, fresh basil, and fresh Italian parsley for garnish.
How much broth is required for the recipe?
You will need between 4 to 6 cups of low sodium chicken or vegetable broth, depending on your preferred consistency.
Can I make this soup chunky instead of completely smooth?
Yes, you can customize the texture by stirring in extra roasted florets after blending the rest of the soup.
What are the recommended garnishes?
The soup is best served with freshly chopped Italian parsley and an optional topping of shredded Parmesan cheese.
How do you prepare the baking sheet?
Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat it with nonstick cooking spray.
What is the purpose of adding 1 cup of broth to the saucepan before blending?
One cup of broth is used to deglaze the saucepan, scraping up flavorful bits of onion and garlic before the mixture goes into the blender.
Should the onion be cooked covered or uncovered?
The onion, garlic, and herbs should be cooked in a covered saucepan until the onion is softened and translucent.
Do I need to use oil for roasting?
The recipe suggests using a light spray of cooking oil or nonstick cooking spray to keep the dish healthy and low-calorie.
How should the cauliflower and broccoli be prepared before roasting?
They should be washed thoroughly and cut into similarly sized florets for even cooking.
What type of blender is best for this recipe?
A high-speed blender is recommended to ensure the roasted vegetables reach a smooth and creamy consistency.
Can I serve this as a main dish?
Yes, it is satisfying enough to be a main course, especially when paired with crusty bread.
Is there carrot in this cauliflower and broccoli soup?
Yes, one cup of baby carrots is roasted along with the other vegetables to add depth and nutrients.
How do I adjust the thickness of the soup?
You can adjust the consistency by adding more broth during the blending process until you reach your desired thickness.
When should I add salt and pepper?
Season the vegetables before roasting, and then add more salt and pepper to the blended soup to taste before serving.
Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried oregano/thyme?
While the recipe specifies dried oregano or thyme for the base, you can certainly experiment with fresh versions of these herbs.
What is the first step in making this soup?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 400°F and prepare your baking sheet.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe calls for one chopped garlic clove.
Is this soup considered a comfort food?
Yes, it is described as providing comforting warmth and being a rich yet healthy comfort food option.
What should I do after blending the soup?
Return the blended soup to the saucepan and heat it gently on low until it is warmed through.
Is the Parmesan cheese required?
No, the shredded Parmesan cheese is an optional garnish for those who want extra flavor.
How much onion is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 of an onion, diced.
What makes this soup healthy?
It is veggie-packed, uses minimal oil (cooking spray), is low in calories, and contains no heavy cream.