This creamy cauliflower chowder is the perfect comfort food for chilly days. With its velvety texture and rich flavors, it’s a delightful way to enjoy cauliflower and a variety of other vegetables, making it both nutritious and satisfying.
Photos of Creamy Cauliflower Chowder Recipe
When preparing this recipe, you may need to pick up a few specific ingredients at the supermarket. Cauliflower is the star of the dish, so a fresh, large head is essential. Don’t forget the dried thyme, which adds a subtle herbal note. The vegetable broth will serve as the base, providing depth to the chowder.
Ingredients for Creamy Cauliflower Chowder
Cauliflower: A large, fresh head of cauliflower is the main ingredient, providing bulk and flavor.
Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic adds a robust, aromatic quality.
Extra-virgin olive oil: Used for roasting, it imparts a rich taste and helps in crisping the cauliflower.
Kosher salt: Essential for seasoning and enhancing flavors.
Black pepper: Adds a hint of heat and depth to the dish.
Unsalted butter: Used for sautéing, it provides a creamy base for the chowder.
Yellow onion: Adds a sweet, mild flavor when cooked.
Carrots: Provide sweetness and color to the chowder.
Celery stalks: Add a slight bitterness and crunch.
Dried bay leaf: Infuses the soup with an earthy, herbal aroma.
Dried thyme: Adds a subtle, fragrant herbal note.
All-purpose flour: Helps thicken the chowder, giving it a creamy consistency.
Vegetable broth: Serves as the savory base for the chowder, adding depth and richness.
Milk: Adds creaminess and balance to the chowder.
Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts into the chowder, giving it a rich, cheesy flavor.
One reader, Abbott Coles says:
This creamy cauliflower chowder is absolutely delicious! The roasted cauliflower adds a wonderful depth of flavor, and the blend of cheese and spices makes it incredibly comforting. Perfect for a cozy night in. Highly recommend!
Techniques Required for Making Creamy Cauliflower Chowder
How to roast vegetables: Preheat the oven, arrange the vegetables on a baking sheet, drizzle with oil, season, and roast until tender. How to chop garlic: Remove the garlic from its skin and finely chop. How to sauté vegetables: Melt butter in a pot, add vegetables, and cook until they begin to soften. How to incorporate flour: Sprinkle flour over vegetables and mix until combined. How to simmer: Pour in broth, stir, and bring to a simmer. How to melt cheese: Stir in cheese and mix until melted and the chowder is creamy.
How To Make Creamy Cauliflower Chowder
Have a bowl of hearty cauliflower chowder for dinner tonight! It’s light, but loaded with flavorful spices. Whip this up in just under an hour.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1largelarge cauliflowercored and roughly chopped
- 3garlic cloves
- 1tbspextra-virgin olive oil
- Kosher saltfreshly ground
- black pepper
- 2tbspunsalted butter
- 1medium yellow onionchopped
- 2medium carrotschopped
- 2celery stalkschopped
- 1dried bay leaf
- ½tspdried thyme
- ¼cupall-purpose flouror gluten-free flour
- 3½cupsvegetable broth
- 1¼cupsmilk
- ½cupshredded cheddar cheeselike white cheddar, shredded
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
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Arrange the chopped cauliflower and garlic cloves on a large baking sheet.
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Drizzle with the olive oil, season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and toss until well coated.
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Spread out the cauliflower and garlic in a single layer.
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Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring once, until the cauliflower is tender. Set aside to cool.
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When cool enough to handle, remove the garlic from its skin, then finely chop.
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In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat.
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Add the onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until just beginning to soften.
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Add the carrots and celery, then cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Stir in the chopped garlic, cauliflower, bay leaf, and dried thyme.
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Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables, then mix to combine.
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Cook for 2 minutes until the flour is incorporated.
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Pour in the broth, stir, and bring to a simmer.
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Cook for 10 minutes.
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Stir in the milk and cheese, then continue mixing for 2 to 3 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the chowder is creamy.
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Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Discard the bay leaf.
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Ladle the chowder into bowls, serve warm, and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 210.90kcal
- Fat: 11.67g
- Saturated Fat: 5.80g
- Trans Fat: 0.27g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 3.96g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.75g
- Carbohydrates: 20.95g
- Fiber: 5.21g
- Sugar: 7.97g
- Protein: 8.57g
- Cholesterol: 24.87mg
- Sodium: 1011.22mg
- Calcium: 194.26mg
- Potassium: 761.92mg
- Iron: 1.48mg
- Vitamin A: 258.66µg
- Vitamin C: 88.24mg
Technique Tip for Achieving the Perfect Creamy Consistency
Roasting the cauliflower and garlic before adding them to the chowder enhances their flavors, giving the soup a deeper, more complex taste. Make sure to spread the cauliflower and garlic in a single layer on the baking sheet to ensure even roasting.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing Creamy Cauliflower Chowder
Pre-roast cauliflower: Roast the cauliflower and garlic in advance and store them in the fridge. This saves time on busy cooking days.
Use pre-chopped veggies: Buy pre-chopped onion, carrots, and celery to cut down on prep time.
Batch cook: Make a double batch of the chowder and freeze half for a quick meal later.
Simmer in one pot: Use a large pot to cook everything together, reducing the number of dishes to clean.
Instant pot option: Use an Instant Pot to speed up the cooking process and achieve the same creamy texture.
Substitute Ingredients For Creamy Cauliflower Chowder Recipe
cauliflower - Substitute with broccoli: Broccoli has a similar texture and can provide a slightly different but still delicious flavor profile.
garlic cloves - Substitute with garlic powder: Use 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder for each clove to maintain the garlic flavor.
extra-virgin olive oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a neutral flavor and similar cooking properties.
kosher salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt has a similar texture and salinity.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat without changing the color of the chowder.
unsalted butter - Substitute with margarine: Margarine can provide a similar texture and flavor in cooking.
yellow onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a milder flavor and can be used in the same quantity.
carrots - Substitute with parsnips: Parsnips have a similar texture and a slightly sweeter flavor.
celery stalks - Substitute with fennel stalks: Fennel provides a similar crunch and a slightly anise-like flavor.
dried bay leaf - Substitute with dried thyme: Thyme can provide a similar earthy flavor.
dried thyme - Substitute with dried oregano: Oregano has a similar herbaceous quality.
all-purpose flour - Substitute with cornstarch: Use half the amount of cornstarch to thicken the chowder.
vegetable broth - Substitute with chicken broth: Chicken broth can provide a similar depth of flavor.
milk - Substitute with unsweetened almond milk: Almond milk can provide a similar creamy texture without dairy.
shredded cheddar cheese - Substitute with shredded mozzarella: Mozzarella has a similar melting quality and mild flavor.
Presentation Tips for Creamy Cauliflower Chowder
Serve smaller portion sizes: Present the creamy cauliflower chowder in elegant, shallow bowls to highlight its rich texture and vibrant colors. A smaller portion allows the flavors to be more concentrated and appreciated.
Use decoration: Garnish with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley or chives. This adds a touch of color and a fresh aroma that complements the chowder.
Add texture contrast: Top the chowder with a few roasted cauliflower florets and a sprinkle of crispy fried shallots or bacon bits. This provides a delightful crunch that contrasts with the creamy soup.
Serve with accompaniments: Pair the chowder with a side of warm, crusty artisan bread or garlic croutons. This not only enhances the dining experience but also offers a satisfying way to enjoy the chowder.
Use high-quality serving ware: Present the chowder in fine porcelain bowls or soup plates with a polished finish. This elevates the overall aesthetic and adds a touch of sophistication to the dish.
Highlight the ingredients: Place a small, decorative plate next to the chowder with a few raw cauliflower florets, carrot sticks, and celery stalks. This showcases the fresh ingredients used in the recipe and adds visual interest.
Incorporate color: Use a vibrant, colorful napkin or placemat under the bowl to make the dish pop. This draws attention to the chowder and makes it more visually appealing.
Create a balanced presentation: Ensure that the bowl is not overfilled and that the garnishes are evenly distributed. This creates a harmonious and inviting presentation that is pleasing to the eye.
Essential Tools for Making Creamy Cauliflower Chowder
Oven: Used to roast the cauliflower and garlic until tender and caramelized.
Large baking sheet: Provides a flat surface to spread out the cauliflower and garlic for even roasting.
Knife: Essential for chopping the cauliflower, garlic, onion, carrots, and celery.
Cutting board: A stable surface for safely chopping vegetables.
Large pot: Used to cook the chowder, combining all the ingredients and allowing them to simmer.
Wooden spoon: Useful for stirring the vegetables and chowder to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.
Measuring spoons: Necessary for accurately measuring the olive oil, butter, and dried thyme.
Measuring cups: Used to measure the vegetable broth, milk, and flour.
Grater: Needed to shred the cheddar cheese.
Ladle: Ideal for serving the chowder into bowls.
Tongs: Helpful for tossing the cauliflower and garlic with olive oil and seasoning.
Mixing bowl: Used to toss the cauliflower and garlic with olive oil, salt, and pepper before roasting.
Spatula: Useful for stirring the flour into the vegetables and scraping the sides of the pot.
Storing and Freezing Creamy Cauliflower Chowder
To store leftover creamy cauliflower chowder, allow it to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Seal the container tightly and place it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
When reheating the chowder, pour it into a saucepan and heat it over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches the desired temperature. If the chowder appears too thick, you can add a splash of vegetable broth or milk to thin it out and restore its creamy consistency.
For longer storage, you can freeze the cauliflower chowder. Allow the chowder to cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag. Remove as much air as possible from the bag before sealing to prevent freezer burn.
Label the container or bag with the date and contents, then place it in the freezer. The chowder can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
To reheat frozen chowder, transfer it to the refrigerator to thaw overnight. Once thawed, pour the chowder into a saucepan and heat it over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it is heated through and reaches the desired consistency. You may need to add a little extra broth or milk to adjust the texture if it appears too thick after thawing.
Note: The chowder's texture may change slightly after freezing and thawing due to the milk and cheese content. The chowder may appear slightly grainy or separated, but stirring it well while reheating will help restore its creamy texture.
How to Reheat Leftover Creamy Cauliflower Chowder
Stovetop method: transfer the leftover chowder to a saucepan and reheat it over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches the desired temperature. This method allows you to control the heat and ensure that the chowder doesn't burn or stick to the bottom of the pan. If the chowder seems too thick, you can add a splash of broth or milk to thin it out.
Microwave method: pour the leftover chowder into a microwave-safe bowl and cover it with a lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, then stir the chowder and continue heating in 30-second intervals until it's heated through. Be careful not to overheat the chowder, as this can cause the dairy to separate and the vegetables to become mushy.
Slow cooker method: if you have a large batch of leftover chowder, you can reheat it in a slow cooker. Transfer the chowder to the slow cooker and set it to low heat. Cover and let the chowder warm up for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until it's heated through. This method is ideal if you want to reheat the chowder without having to watch over it constantly.
Oven method: preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the leftover chowder to an oven-safe dish and cover it with foil. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chowder is heated through. Stir the chowder halfway through the reheating process to ensure even heating. This method works well if you're reheating a large portion of chowder and want to keep it warm for an extended period.
Random Fact About Creamy Cauliflower Chowder
A random fact about this creamy cauliflower chowder recipe is that roasting the cauliflower and garlic before adding them to the chowder enhances their flavors, giving the dish a deeper, more complex taste.
Is Making Creamy Cauliflower Chowder at Home Cost-Effective?
This creamy cauliflower chowder recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The main ingredients like cauliflower, carrots, celery, and onion are affordable and widely available. Vegetable broth and milk add to the creaminess without breaking the bank. The use of a small amount of cheddar cheese provides richness without a high cost. Overall, this recipe scores a solid 8 out of 10 in cost-effectiveness. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $12-$15 USD.
Is Creamy Cauliflower Chowder Healthy or Unhealthy?
The creamy cauliflower chowder recipe is a relatively healthy dish with some room for improvement. Here's why:
Positives:
- Cauliflower is a nutrient-dense vegetable, rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals
- The recipe includes other healthy vegetables like garlic, onion, carrots, and celery
- Using vegetable broth instead of chicken or beef broth keeps the dish vegetarian-friendly
Negatives:
- The recipe contains butter and cheese, which are high in saturated fat and calories
- All-purpose flour is used as a thickener, which is a refined carbohydrate
- The milk used in the recipe is likely whole milk, adding more saturated fat and calories
To make this chowder even healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Replace the butter with a healthier oil, such as olive oil or avocado oil
- Use a whole grain flour, like whole wheat or spelt flour, instead of all-purpose flour
- Opt for low-fat milk or a plant-based alternative, such as unsweetened almond milk
- Reduce the amount of cheese used or choose a low-fat variety
- Increase the proportion of vegetables in the chowder for added nutrients and fiber
- Add lean protein sources, such as white beans or tofu, to make the dish more satiating
- Experiment with different herbs and spices to enhance flavor without relying on excess salt or fat
Editor's Thoughts on This Creamy Cauliflower Chowder Recipe
This creamy cauliflower chowder recipe is a delightful blend of roasted cauliflower and aromatic vegetables, creating a comforting and flavorful dish. The roasting step enhances the cauliflower's natural sweetness, while the addition of cheddar cheese adds a rich, creamy texture. The use of dried thyme and bay leaf provides a subtle depth of flavor. Overall, it's a well-balanced, hearty chowder perfect for a cozy meal.
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Why trust this Creamy Cauliflower Chowder Recipe:
This creamy cauliflower chowder recipe is a must-try because it combines the wholesome goodness of roasted cauliflower and garlic with the comforting flavors of cheddar cheese and vegetable broth. The roasting process enhances the natural sweetness of the cauliflower, while the cheese adds a rich, creamy texture. Perfect for a cozy night in, this chowder is both nutritious and delicious. Trust this recipe for its balance of flavors and straightforward instructions, ensuring a delightful meal every time.
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