Dec21

Pomegranate Brisket

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Pomegranate Brisket
Serves 8-10
  • 5-7 pound Brisket
  • 4 cups Fresh Pomegranate Seeds
  • 2 cups Pomegranate Juice
  • 2 cups Red Wine
  • 2 Carrots
  • 2 White Onions
  • 5 Ribs Celery
  • 6 Cloves Garlic
  • 3 tablespoons Grape Preserves
  • 1 Bunch Fresh Thyme
  • 4 cups Chicken Stock
  • Salt and Pepper

Season brisket with kosher salt and pepper and sear on all sides in a hot pan. Remove brisket and put all vegetables and garlic in roasting pan and caramelize. Deglaze with wine and pomegranate juice. Add the grape preserves, fresh thyme, half the seeds, and chicken stock. Bring to a simmer, cover with aluminum  foil and put in a 300 degree oven for 2- 3 hours. Remove from oven and let cool in braising liquid. Remove meat, strain sauce and simmer and skim. Slice against the grain and serve with mashed potatoes and roasted brussel sprouts and garnish with fresh pomegranate seeds.

Aug8

Pasta with Mushrooms and Creamy Leeks

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Pasta with Mushrooms and Creamy Leeks

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound regular or whole grain spaghetti (I like Barilla Plus)
  • 1 1/2 pounds crimini mushrooms
  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 leeks
  • 3 to 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or half and half
  • Grated Parmesan or Romano, for topping

Heat water to a boil for the pasta, salt water, drop in pasta and cook to al dente. Meanwhile, wipe mushrooms clean with damp paper towel. Thinly slice the mushrooms. Heat a large deep skillet with extra-virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook until golden and tender, 10 minutes.

While mushrooms cook, halve the leeks lengthwise. Trim off dark green tops and root end. Thinly slice the leek then wash well in a large bowl of cold water, separating all the layers to clean inside. Let leeks sit a few minutes then lift out of the water and dry on kitchen towel.

Add leeks to mushrooms along with garlic and season with salt, pepper and fresh thyme. Cook 3 to 4 minutes more then add wine, reduce half a minute then stir in cream and heat through. Toss pasta with mushrooms and adjust seasoning. Top with grated cheese and serve.

Aug7

Chocolate Coconut Ice Cream

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Chocolate Coconut Ice Cream

Ingredients:
3 cups unsweetened coconut milk
3 Tbsp agave nectar
1 1/4 cup sugar
2/3 cup good quality unsweetened  cocoa powder
3 egg yolks

Prepare a large bowl of ice water. In a large saucepan, whisk the coconut milk and agave nectar over moderately low heat until warm. In a medium heatproof bowl, whisk the sugar and cocoa powder. Gradually whisk in 1 cup of the warm coconut milk until smooth, then whisk in the egg yolks. Scrape the cocoa paste into the saucepan and whisk until blended. Cook the custard over moderate heat, whisking constantly, for about 6 minutes, until very hot and slightly thickened; do not let it boil. Immediately strain the custard into another bowl and place over bowl of ice water. Stir the custard until cooled. Transfer ice cream mixture to a freezer-proof container and freeze till partially frozen, about 1 hour. Take out of freezer and stir, breaking up frozen pieces, then refreeze for another 2-3 hours. Take out of freezer 15 minutes before serving to let thaw a little. Scoop and serve.

Aug4

Ziti with Portobello Mushrooms, Caramelized Onions, and Goat Cheese

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Ziti with Portobello Mushrooms, Caramelized Onions, and Goat Cheese

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter substitute
4 tablespoons olive oil
3 onions, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 pound portobello mushrooms, stems removed, caps halved and then cut crosswise into 1/4-inch slices
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
3/4 pound ziti
3 ounces soft goat cheese, crumbled
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

  1. In a large frying pan, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter with 2 tablespoons of the oil over moderate heat. Add the onions, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and the sugar and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are well browned, about 20 minutes. Remove from the pan.
  2. In the same pan, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter with 1 tablespoon of the oil over moderate heat. Add the mushrooms and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and brown, about 8 minutes. Add the reserved onions, the parsley, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and the pepper.
  3. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the ziti until just done, about 13 minutes. Reserve 3/4 cup of the pasta water and drain. Toss the ziti and 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water with the mushroom mixture, the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, the goat cheese, and the Parmesan. If the pasta seems dry, add more of the reserved pasta water. Serve with additional Parmesan.
Aug1

Crab Cake Burgers

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Crab Cake Burgers

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb imitation crab meat
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup light mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 4 dashes hot sauce, optional
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons unsalted butter
  • Serve with your choice: buns, wraps, salad greens, spicy mayo, avocado, red onion
  1. Break up crab in food processor by pulsing till chopped up. Add egg, breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, onion powder, pepper and hot sauce and pulse till just combined. Form into 6 patties.
  2. Heat oil and butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until the butter stops foaming. Cook the patties until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side. Serve on buns or in wraps or over greens and top with spicy mayo, avocado and thinly sliced red onion.
Jun28

Roasted Green Beans and Cremini Mushrooms with Rosemary Garlic Oil

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Roasted Green Beans and Cremini Mushrooms with Rosemary Garlic Oil

Ingredients:
10 oz cremini mushrooms, halved
1/4 cup plus 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp Kosher salt
12 oz green beans, trimmed
1 tsp minced fresh garlic
1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss mushrooms with 2 Tbsp oil and 1/2 tsp salt. Spread out on sheet in one layer, cut side down. Toss green beans with 1 Tbsp oil and remaining 1/2 tsp salt. Spread green beans in one layer on other side of baking sheet. Roast until green beans are shrunken and mushrooms are tender, about 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, place 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp olive oil in nonstick skillet with garlic, rosemary, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer over medium low heat. Cook 1 minute to infuse oil and soften garlic. Remove from heat. Transfer vegetables to mixing bowl and toss with rosemary garlic oil. Toss thoroughly then transfer to serving place.

Jun6

Mediterranean Stuffed Mushrooms

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Mediterranean Stuffed Mushrooms
28 small white mushrooms (1 1/2-inch-diameter)
1/4 cup olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup fresh, multi-grain bread crumbs
1/2 cup crumbled Feta cheese
2 tablespoons finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf (Italian) parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Remove the mushroom stems and chop finely. Saute the stems and garlic in 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, over medium heat, until the mushrooms are coooked (about 5 minutes).
2. Combine the bread crumbs, Feta, sun-dried tomatoes, sauteed stems, parsley, mint, salt and pepper, to taste and olive oil in a medium bowl and stir until mixed well.
3. Spoon the filling into the mushroom cavities and arrange on a baking sheet sprayed with non-stick cooking srpay. Spray the tops of the mushrooms with olive oil spray.
4. Bake until the mushrooms are tender and the filling is heated through and golden on top, about 25 minutes.
5. Serve warm, garnished with extra flat-leaf parsley.
Jun2

Pistachio-Crusted Chicken Breasts with Date & Onion Relish

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Pistachio-Crusted Chicken Breasts with Date & Onion Relish

Spice Mix:

½ c pistachios
¼ c sesame seeds
1 T coriander seeds
1 T cumin seeds
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp dried thyme
½ tsp fresh ground black pepper
1 tsp salt
Chicken:
Olive oil or coconut oil
4 large skinless chicken breasts
Relish:
1 T coconut oil
1 onion, thinly sliced (1 cup)
2 T minced fresh ginger
¼ tsp cinnamon powder
pinch cayenne
1 cup dates, pits removed, chopped into small pieces
¼ cup fresh orange juice
¼ cup pomegranate molasses
salt
¼ cup chopped chives

Toast pistachios in a dry heavy-bottom skillet or place in a preheated 350 degrees oven until golden brown, about 6 minutes. Toast the sesame seeds in a skillet or the oven until they are golden, about 5 minutes. Toast the coriander and the cumin seeds in a dry skillet until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a spice mill or blender and grind to a powder.
Place the pistachios and the sesame seeds in a food processor and pulse carefully to grind together so as not to turn the nuts into a paste. Stir in the remaining spices. Store in a jar for up to two weeks.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Dredge the chicken in the spice mix. Film a nonstick skillet with olive or coconut oil. Heat until a hand held 1 inch above the pan feels hot, then add the chicken. Cook for 1 or 2 minutes per side, until golden brown. Transfer the chicken to a baking sheet and place in the preheated oven. Bake for 15 minutes, until cooked through. Slice on an angle and serve fanned out on the plate.
Relish:
Warm oil in a small pot. Add the onion and cook for 7 minutes, until softened and starting to brown. Add the ginger, cinnamon, and cayenne and cook another 2 minutes. Add the dates, orange juice, pomegranate molasses and a pinch of salt. Cook uncovered, stirring from time to time, until relish is thickened, about 5 minutes.

May22

Grilled Caprese Salad Skewers

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Grilled Caprese Salad Skewers

Ingredients:

  • 12 ounces fresh mozzarella cut into cubes, or small balls of fresh  mozzarella
  • 1 small basket cherry tomatoes
  • 12 whole fresh basil leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 small jar pureed roasted red pepper
  • 12 cup extra virgin olive oil

Cut cherry tomatoes in half. Alternately place mozzarella cubes, cherry tomato halves and basil leaves on skewers. Mix together olive oil and pureed roasted red bell pepper then set aside. Grill skewers for a few minutes or until cheese turns golden brown. Brush with olive oil and pepper mix then sprinkle with salt and pepper.

May10

Curried Turkey Burgers with Mango Chutney

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Curried Turkey Burgers with Mango Chutney

3 tsp olive oil
1 shallot, chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 lb ground turkey, dark meat
1 Tbsp curry powder
4 whole wheat buns
4 tsp store bought mango chutney (available at most supermarkets)
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
Heat 1 tsp olive oil in large pan over medium heat. Saute shallots and garlic till translucent and fragrant. Let cool, then add to turkey meat. Add curry powder and mix till all ingredients are incorporated. Divide turkey mixture into 4 equal parts and form burgers. Heat remaining 2 tsp oil in pan and cook burger till brown and fully cooked, about 4-5 minutes on each side. Spread 1 tsp mango chutney on one side of each bun. Top with red onion slices and burger, and serve.

Mar30

Ras-El-Hanout

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Ras-El-Hanout

This is a great Moroccan spice blend mixture that you can make and have on hand to create delicious lamb or chicken dishes.

Ingredients:

1 tsp cumin
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp salt
3/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp coriander
1/2 tsp cayenne
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp ground cloves

Mix all ingredients together and store in air-tight container.

Mar29

Braised Brisket with Garlic Gravy

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Braised Brisket with Garlic Gravy

Ingredients:

  • About 2 cups garlic cloves, peeled (about 36 c loves) plus 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • A first-or second-cut beef brisket (about 5 pounds), trimmed of excess fat, wiped with a damp paper towel, and patted dry
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 3 cups chicken broth, or more if needed
  • 3 cups red wine
  • 3 or 4 fresh thyme sprigs, or 2 teaspoons dried leaves
  • 2 fresh rosemary sprigs, plus 1 teaspoon chopped leaves
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

    • Preheat the oven to 325°F.  Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a heavy-bottomed roasting pan or casserole large enough to accommodate the meat in one layer.  Add the brisket and brown well on both sides, about 10 minutes. Transfer the brisket to a platter and set aside.

    Pour off all but about 1 tablespoon of fat remaining in the pan and add the garlic cloves. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the garlic edges just start to brown. Add the vinegar and deglaze the pan, scraping up all the browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon. Add the stock, wine, thyme, and rosemary sprigs, and reduce the heat to a simmer. Salt and pepper the brisket to taste on all sides, and add it to the pan, fat side up. (Make sure liquid almost covers brisket, or add more stock if needed.) Spoon the garlic cloves over the meat. Place the brisket in the oven, cover , and cook, basting every half-hour, until the meat is fork tender, 3-3 1/2 hours or longer. Cool the brisket in the pan sauce, cover well with foil, and refrigerate until the fat congeals. Scrape off all solid fat. Remove the brisket from the pan and slice thinly across the grain.

    To make gravy: (optional)

    Strain the liquid from the brisket, reserving the garlic and discarding the thyme and rosemary sprigs. Skim and discard as much fat as possible from the liquid. Puree the cooked garlic with 1 cup of the braising liquid in a food processor or using an immersion blender. Transfer the pureed mixture, the remaining braising liquid, and the rest of the cooked garlic to a skillet. Add the chopped rosemary, minced garlic, and lemon zest. Boil down the gravy over high heat, uncovered, to the desired consistency. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Rewarm the brisket in the gravy until heated through. Arrange the sliced brisket on a serving platter. Spoon some of the hot gravy all over the meat and serve the remaining gravy on the side.

    Mar23

    Turkey Burgers with Pesto Sauce

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    Turkey Burgers with Pesto Sauce

    Ingredients:
    1 1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
    1 small onion, finely chopped
    1 garlic clove, minced
    2 tablespoons water
    1 1/2 pounds ground turkey breast meat (or dark ground turkey meat)
    1 1/2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs
    Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
    4 whole wheat rolls, split
    4 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped, plus 1 tablespoon oil from the jar
    2 tablespoons prepared mayonnaise
    1 tablespoon prepared pesto
    Red onion slices
    1 bunch arugula, tough stems trimmed

    1. Preheat a grill pan over medium heat. In a small skillet, heat the olive oil until shimmering. Add the onion and garlic and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the water and cook, stirring, until the onion is lightly browned, about 5 minutes longer. Scrape the onion into a medium bowl and let cool. Add the ground turkey, panko, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Mix the ground turkey mixture lightly and form it into 4 patties.
    2. Grill the burgers over a medium-high flame, turning once, until lightly charred on the outside and cooked through, about 6 minutes per side. Brush the cut sides of the rolls with the sun-dried tomato oil and grill until toasted, about 1 minute.
    3. In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise with the pesto and sun-dried tomatoes. Spread the mayo on the rolls and top with the burgers, red onion slices and arugula. Close the burgers and serve.
    Mar15

    Hamentashen with Chocolate Ganache Filling

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    Hamentashen with Chocolate Ganache Filling
    Ingredients:
    3 eggs
    1 cup sugar
    3/4 cup canola oil
    2 1/2 tsp vanilla
    1/2 cup orange juice
    5 1/2 cups flour
    1 Tbsp baking powder
    8 1/2 oz dark chocolate, chopped
    8 oz heavy cream or soy creamer
    Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cookie sheets. Beat eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Add oil, vanilla and orange juice. Combine flour and baking powder. Stir into batter to form stiff dough. If dough is not stiff enough to handle, add more flour. Refrigerate dough until ready to use.
    Place chopped chocolate and cream or creamer in a glass bowl set over a pot of simmering water. Melt the chocolate, stirring until all lumps are gone. Chill in refrigerator until filling is firm.
    Roll out dough to 1/4 ” thick and cut into circles. Spoon 2 tsp of filling into center of each round. Pinch edges to form three corners. Bake 12-15 minutes until light brown.
    Mar2

    Pan-Seared Chicken with Balsamic Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce

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    Pan-Seared Chicken with Balsamic Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce

    Ingredients:
    4 chicken thighs
    salt and freshly ground pepper
    1 Tbsp olive oil
    1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
    4 sun-dried tomato halves, sliced into strips
    1/4 cup chicken stock

    Heat skillet over medium-high heat and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper and place skin side down in pan. Sear until skin becomes nice and golden brown, about 10 minutes. Turn over and place skillet in oven to finish cooking chicken, about 20 minutes.

    Remove skillet from oven carefully with oven mitts. Place on stovetop and remove chicken from pan. Pour out most of excess oil in pan and return to stove over medium heat. Add balsamic vinegar to deglaze pan and scrape off bits of chicken into the vinegar. Cook vinegar down for 2-3 minutes, then add sun-dried tomatoes. Cook another minute, then add stock. Bring to a simmer and reduce for 3-4 minutes. Add chicken, skin side down, back into pan to glaze the chicken. Serve chicken over rice and top with sauce.

    Mar2

    Sausages with Caramelized Onions and Peas over Rice

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    Sausages with Caramelized Onions and Peas over Rice

    Ingredients:
    1 Tbsp olive oil
    1 medium onion, sliced
    4 Spicy Itallian Sausages (or any sauges you prefer)
    1 box frozen green peas, thawed
    salt and red pepper flakes to taste
    2 cups prepared white or brown short grain rice

    Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Heat onions and saute until transluscent and cooked through. Move onions to sides of pan and place sausages in pan. Raise heat to medium-high and brown sausages on all sides. Remove sausages and onions to a plate and cover to keep warm.

    Add peas to same pan and cook till heated through. Sprinkle with salt and red pepper flakes and toss. To plate, put 1/4 cup rice in shallow bowl. Top with peas, sliced sausages and caramelized onions.

    Jan12

    Winter Vegetable Barley Soup

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    Winter Vegetable Barley Soup

    Ingredients:
    2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
    1 large onion, thinly sliced
    2 leeks, white and light green parts thinly sliced
    2 garlic cloves, minced
    1 cup pearled barley
    8 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
    4 cups water
    10 thyme sprigs
    2 bay leaves
    1 1/2 lb celery root, peeled and cut into 1/2″ cubes
    1 lb parsnips, peeled and cut into 1/2″ cubes
    salt and freshly ground pepper
    1 lb baby spinach, optional

    In a large pot, heat oil. Add onion, leeks, and garlic and cook over moderate heat, stirring occassionally, until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in barley. Add broth, water, thyme adn bay leaves and bring to a boil. Add celery root and parsnips and season with salt and pepper. Simmer over moderately low heat until barley and root vegetables are tender, about 40 minutes. Stir in spinach and simmer for 5 minutes. Season soup with  salt and pepper and serve.

    Jan12

    Sweet and Spicy Glazed Ribs

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    Sweet and Spicy Glazed Ribs

    Ingredients:
    1/4 cup paprika
    2 Tbsp sugar
    2 Tbsp brown sugar
    1 Tbsp cumin

    1 Tbsp chile or cayenne powder
    1 Tbsp pepper
    1 Tbsp onion powder
    1 Tbsp garlic powder
    3 lb short ribs or flanken
    Mikee’s rib sauce

    Make dry rub: Combine paprika, sugars, cumin, chile powder, pepper, cayenne, onion and garlic powders. This makes a large batch of rub so put extra in a air tight container for later use.

    Sprinkle dry rub all over both sides of ribs and rub in thoroughly. Let sit for about a half an hour or do ahead and chill in the fridge until ready to cook.

    Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Roast ribs for about 1 1/2 hours. Remove from oven and baste with rib sauce all over. Return to oven and cook another 1/2 hour, basting another time or two in between, until nicely glazed and fork tender.

    Jan4

    Spinach Pesto Pasta

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    Spinach Pesto Pasta

    Ingredients:
    1 lb penne pasta
    2 cups frozen spinach, thawed and drained
    1/2 cup pine nuts
    3 cloves garlic, chopped
    1 tsp kosher salt
    1 tsp black pepper
    1 1/2 cups good olive oil
    1 cup Parmesan
    1/3 cup heavy cream

    Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Meanwhile, combine spinach, pine nuts, garlic, salt and pepper in a pot. Puree with an immersion blender (or in food processor if you don’t have one). Slowly add olive oil until incorporated.  Heat pot over medium-low flame, add Parmesan and heavy cream and stir until heated throuhg, about 4-5 minutes. Drain pasta and place in spinach pesto sauce. Mix well. Serve with extra Parmesan.

    Jan3

    Roasted Cauliflower Soup

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    Roasted Cauliflower Soup
    Ingredients
  • 2 heads cauliflower
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 2 shallots
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 cups soy creamer or soy milk

    • Preheat oven to 425°F.

    Cut cauliflower into 1-inch flowerets (about 10 cups). In a large baking pan toss cauliflower, garlic, and shallots with oil to coat and roast in middle of oven about 30 minutes, or until golden.

    In a 4-quart pot simmer broth, roasted cauliflower mixture, and herbs 30 minutes, or until cauliflower is very tender. Discard bay leaf and in a blender puree soup in batches until smooth (or use an immersion blender), transferring to a bowl. Return soup to pot and stir in cream and salt and pepper to taste. Heat soup over moderate heat until just heated through.