Winter is here…Bring on the soup!

Well, winter is officially here!!! It's been raining here gently since yesterday afternoon….yes, we have got cabin fever, but at the same time the rain has been so welcome and so lovely to listen too. Nothing beats going to bed with the faint pitter patter of rain on the roof, then waking up the next morning and looking out to see shiny, sparkly water droplets hanging off everything.

With winter comes soup and this morning when I walked into the kitchen I was greeted with a head of cauliflower sitting quite, well, alone.  It had soup written all over it…but so my husband might be tempted I decided to add the crispy bacon and cauliflower on top- have to say it was a pretty delish combo- and as per usual didnt take long to make!

A similar recipe can be found here on Not Quite Nigella's blog. So here goes….

Cauliflower Soup with Crispy Bacon and Cauliflower Sprinkles

Splash of olive oil

1 large brown onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets

500g potatoes, peeled and chopped

1 litre chicken stock

1/2 cup pure cream

parmesan- enough for a light shaving on bacon/cauli sprinkles

2 bacon rashers, finely chopped

fresh parsley, finely chopped

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium- high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook for a few minutes until they soften. Careful not to burn. Add most of the cauliflower and all the potato and cook for another few minutes just to add some colour and seal the flavours. Save a handful of cauliflower for the sprinkle mix. Add stock. Season to taste (if you want too)…then cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until tender. Set aside and allow to cool before blending in food processor until a smooth texture. Return back to the saucepan. Stir in cream.

For sprinkle mix- preheat oven to 200 deg celcius. On a baking tray lined with baking paper, place cauliflower florets, diced bacon, parsley and a light grating of parmesan cheese. Bake in oven for about ten minutes or until golden.

Serve soup in bowls or mugs and sprinkle with bacon/cauli mix. You can add some extra parmesan if you would like but I think it was tasty without! A chunk of fresh warmed bread is another must. 

Have you a favourite winter warmer soup???

Enjoy & Stay warm (oh, and dry!) x

What's cooking in our home this week!

It's been a busy week with lots happening in our house. We have had some hurdles to jump as well as some little sideline projects we are working on- hence no blogging for a a few days!

I'm not naturally a lunchy type person- unless it's made for me…- and Im especially bad when there is lots happening and distractions of the small people. This simple cauliflower salad is quick and easy, relatively healthy, fresh and tasty.

It was given to me recently by a good friend, Susan and since then its been getting quite a bit of midday (well mid afternoon) airtime! 

Cut your uncooked caulifower into small florets. Mix a quantity of Kewpie Mayonaisse with some wasabi (optional and to taste) in a seperate small bowl. Combine with cauliflower and place in a bowl or on a plate. Sprinkle over black and white sesame seeds. Dont worry if you don't have the black sesame seeds- I bought some at our visit to the South Melbourne Markets a few weeks ago. Up until then I just used the white sesame seeds and it was fine.

How easy is that???

Seriously yummy and can be eaten as a side salad or accompanied with your drinks and nibbles as a tapas style dish.

This past week has also seen a batch of my mother in law's amazing Tomato relish cooked up in our kitchen with a rather large bag of juicy over ripe tomatoes purchased at the markets last weekend.
Relish is a staple in our house (much like milk and bread). You can never have enough of this little jar of goodness!

And this delicious Orange and Garlic Roast Chook from the latest Home Beautiful Magazine.

Trying to enjoy the last few weeks of outdoor dining with the kids before daylight savings ends and the cooler weather sets in.

What food were you cooking up this week in your home?