Stilton Cauliflower Soup

Adapted from Gourmet, January 2003 Stilton Cauliflower Soup

An immersion blender is great for this sort of pureed soup to minimize the number of dirty pots.


Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 celery ribs, finely chopped
• 1 cauliflower, cut into 1-inch florets
• 3 TBS unsalted butter
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup milk
• 4 oz crumbled blue cheese
• 1/2 cup light cream or half-and-half
• 1/4 tsp white pepper
• 1/8 tsp salt

Cook onion, celery, and cauliflower in butter in a 3 1/2- to 4-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until onion and celery are softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add broth and 1 cup milk and simmer, covered, until cauliflower is very tender, about 25 minutes.

Purée cauliflower mixture with immersion blender and return to a simmer. (Alternatively, transfer to a blender or food processor in two batches.)  Add cheese, cream, pepper, and salt and cook over low heat, whisking, until cheese is melted and soup is smooth, about 1 minute.

Lower fat milk and cream can be used as desired.