Cauliflower & Corn Soup with Salsa Verde
Silky sweet cauliflower and corn soup with a green, punchy salsa verde doing donuts on top.
Serves: 6
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
INGREDIENTS
2 leeks, chopped and rinsed well
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt, to taste
1 whole head of cauliflower, roughly chopped into chunks
2 ears of corn, kernels removed (keep the stripped cobs)
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon black pepper
a few sprigs of tarragon
2.5 litres stock (vegetable or chicken)
1/2 tub sour cream (about 125g)
1 bunch chives, chopped
For the salsa verde
1 handful basil leaves
1 handful parsley leaves
1 handful tarragon leaves
1 handful mint leaves
1 teaspoon capers
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 anchovies
1 lemon, juiced
1/2 cup olive oil
salt, to taste
1 bird's eye chilli
METHOD
In a large heavy-based saucepan over medium heat, add the chopped leeks, butter and olive oil. Stir well and season with salt. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and sweat for about 15 minutes.
Add the chopped cauliflower and corn kernels, including any corn juices. Stir in the fennel seeds, black pepper and tarragon.
Pour in the stock and add the stripped corn cobs for extra flavour. Partially cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until all the vegetables have softened.
Remove the corn cobs and use a stick blender to puree the soup until smooth.
Add the sour cream and puree again until the desired consistency is achieved.
Stir through the chopped chives.
For the salsa verde, combine the basil, parsley, tarragon, mint, capers, Dijon mustard, anchovies, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and bird's eye chilli in a blender.
Blend until chunky and loose.
HINTS
Ensure the leeks are well-rinsed to remove any grit or dirt.
For a thicker soup, reduce the amount of stock slightly.
The salsa verde can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to a week.
NUTRITION (per recipe total, serves 6 - guide only):
Energy: approximately 9100kJ (2180 calories)
Protein: 40g
Fat: 170g
Saturated fat: 44g
Carbohydrates: 120g
Sugars: 35g
Fibre: 25g
Sodium: 9500mg
This nutrition information is a guide only and may vary depending on brands, exact quantities, and ingredient substitutions used.