Creamy Cauliflower Soup

When myself and Mr K were on our adventures we had to live a slightly feral existence. We didn’t want for anything and of course we still insisted that everything we cooked was freshly made, tasty and gourmet, sometimes helped by the fact that we often bought our veggies straight from the farmer and had the freedom to visit local producers and design entire menus on the day. We were however restricted by what we could fit in the boot of the car and by the cooking facilities available (often just the camp fire!).

One time we had this crazy craving for bangers and mash despite the impending monsoon tropical heat of The Kimberly, so I once found myself making mashed potato by pushing potatoes through a very fine sieve.

The box of goodies-sieve included

The first time I made this soup I used a very similar fine sieve to make it super creamy. It worked a treat (for the potatoes too) but a quick blast in the liquidiser does the job just the same and is much faster. Trust me this soup is so moreish you won’t want to waste a drop or time pushing it through a sieve, unless of course you are living out of the back of a station wagon and don’t have any choice.

Other than decisions around how you’ll get the lumps out this is a super easy recipe with only 5 ingredients. The cauliflower is the star so make this when they are in season and look deliciously creamy.

So tell me, have you ever gone to crazy lengths just to satisfy a craving for food even for something as simple as bangers and mash?

Creamy Cauliflower Soup

Ingredients

Makes about 6 serves depending on the size of cauliflower

·         1 Cauliflower, broken into florets

·         1 onion

·         2 cloves garlic

·         1 TBSP Olive Oil

·         1-2L of vegetable stock (depends on how much cauliflower you have)

1.   Chop the onion and garlic roughly then add to a large saucepan with the olive oil. Cook gently to soften.

2.   Add the cauliflower and enough stock to cover. (I needed 2L to cover the huge cauliflower Mr K insisted on buying).

3.   Bring to the boil then simmer gently until the cauliflower is soft. Keep covered so that it doesn't reduce too much.

4.   Allow to cool.

5.   Liquidise (or sieveJ) to obtain a beautiful creamy consistency. Add more stock if too thick.

6.   Reheat and serve with crusty bread.

To make it super tasty, and a little naughty, you can throw in a handful of grated cheese (cheddar or blue is best) and allow to melt. The soup also freezes really well.



Chocolate Raspberry Brownies

Everyone agrees that Clevedon is full of Poms. I’ve heard conflicting information as to why. Some suggest it’s the wetter than average Auckland climate reminding them of home, others that it has something to do with horses and hunting, although there aren’t any foxes in New Zealand so who knows what they are hunting.

One thing is for sure, I love Clevedon and I too am a pom!

The wet climate and huge hills put me off moving there but I do like to go of a weekend, buy some veggies at the Farmers market then swank around in the village coffee in hand.

Now I think about it this practice probably makes me closer to being a Jafa than a pom but either way we had a lovely day out in Clevedon last Sunday.

The market is just outside the village and wonderfully chilled out with music playing in the background as people browse for vegetables, chilli sauce, fresh pasta and of course the famous buffalo mozzarella.

After stocking up on the vegetables for the week we headed straight to the brownie stand. I make a pretty mean brownie and Mr K often says I only buy other peoples brownies to say they are not as good as mine. NOT TRUE! I do buy other peoples brownies but its research, I want the ultimate brownie and if someone has a better brownie I want to know about it. I’ve so far found two which are better than or at least as good as mine-Auckland Domestic Airport and Clevedon market. The range at Clevedon is fantastic and the value of 4 for $10 unbeatable.

After stocking up with the brownies we head into the village to grab a coffee and enjoy our spoils.

So tell me, what is your signature dish and do you try others just to make sure yours is still better?

Chocolate Raspberry Brownies

(or if you want ones just as good J head to Clevedon Market)

Ingredients

Makes about 20, depending on how big you cut them

·         200g Dark Chocolate (I use Whittaker’s 62% Dark Cacao)

·         200g unsalted butter

·         5 eggs

·         2 cups of caster sugar

·         1 tsp. vanilla extract

·         1 1/3 cups plain flour

·         1 tsp. baking powder

·         ½ cup cocoa powder

·         ½ cup raspberry jam

·          

1.   Melt the chocolate and butter in a bowl. I use the microwave for this. I just do it one minute at a time and it usually takes three minutes but you need to keep a careful eye on it or you’ll ruin it. Otherwise you can do this in a bowl over simmering water (about 15mins). Once melted set aside to cool slightly.

2.   Gently whisk the eggs, sugar and vanilla in another bowl. Don’t put too much air in this.

3.   Thoroughly mix the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture.

4.   Sieve (a must here because of the cocoa) the flour, baking powder and cocoa on top then gently fold this in. Don’t over work it but make sure there are no lumps of flour remaining.

5.   Pour this into a tin, which is already lined and greased (or I use a silicone tray to save all this hassle). 24 x 24cm.

6.   Dollop the raspberry jam over the top. Swirl the jam through the mixture with a wooden skewer.

7.   Bake in the oven for about 35mins at 160°C. The top should have formed a crust and an inserted skewer comes out with some moist crumbs still attached.

8.   Let the cake cool in the tin (very important or else you end up with half the cake still in the tin).

9.   Now just slice and serve with fresh berries and yoghurt.

It keeps for a few days and actually seems to get better with age!

You could make this orange chocolate cake by changing the raspberry jam for marmalade.