Ham & Cheddar Cauliflower Chowder

 

Nothing gets me more amped up for the cooler weather than a hearty bowl of soup.  Oh, and a biscuit for dunking.  And the fact that it usually feeds us for two meals in a row.

 

As much as I love cooking, I also love a meal 'off the clock'.

 

I saw a version of this soup on IGE.  That girl should make creativity her middle name because she is always coming up with great dishes.  I swapped out the bacon and used ham, as that is what I had on hand.

 

On that note, improvise should be my middle name.

 

 

If you are scared of cauliflower don't be.  I'll admit we rarely, if EVER, eat cauliflower in our house.  Not because we don't like it, I just don't ever think of buying it at the store.  But, now that I know the little trick in this soup of making it taste virtually like a creamy potato, you better bet, I'll be buying more of it.

 

Plus, the next night we roasted it in the oven and served it with this delicious sauce.  My all time favorite way to roast veggies. 

 

Try that too, okay?

 

Ham & Cheddar Cauliflower Chowder

{Printable Recipe}

1/2 head of cauliflower

1 celery stalk

2 cloves garlic

2 carrots

2 cups finely diced ham

2 1/2 c. grated cheddar cheese

1 t. onion powder

2 T. water

2 c. chicken or vegetable broth

2 c. milk

hot sauce

2 T. flour

salt

pepper

 

Finely dice celery, carrots and garlic, set aside.  With grater or food processor, grate cauliflower into fine pieces, set aside.

 

In a soup pot, saute chopped ham until crispy, remove from pot and set aside.  Add in celery, carrot, garlic mixture, season with salt and pepper and saute until tender, about 5 minutes.  Add in cauliflower, onion powder and water.  Put lid on and steam for 5-7 minutes.  Once tender add in 1 3/4 c. of broth, milk and a dash of hot sauce.  Bring up to boil.  Whisk together the flour and remaining 1/4 c. broth, pour into soup and stir constantly.  After a few minutes the soup will start to thicken.  Remove the soup from the heat, continuing to stir.  Slowly add in cheese, ham and additional seasoning if needed.

 

Eat immediately, or allow to cool and store in the fridge for later.

 

 

So after you down a bowl of this soup, I suggest getting out and enjoying this gorgeous fall weather.  At least I hope it is gorgeous where you live.

 

We are spending a TON of time outdoors, trying to soak up the sunshine while it is still around.  Basically from when the kids get up from nap till dinnertime we are outside.  Playing in the garage, running around the yard, going on walks or bothering the dogs.

 

The little miss is a dog lover.  She cannot get enough.  She torments these guys day in and day out.  Our golden retriever just gets up and runs away from her, but our black lab....well...he's a sucker for her lovin'.