Ingredients
Scale
- 4 strips thick cut bacon, cut into thinly slices
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 medium shallots (about 1/2 cup), small diced
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 heaping teaspoon southwest seasoning (or cajun seasoning), plus more for garnish
- 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into small florets
- 1 large bay leaf
- 1 quart chicken bone broth
- 1 14 oz. can unsweetened coconut milk (heavy cream or whole milk works too)
- 1 tablespoon tapioca or arrowroot powder
- 2 cups grated smoked gouda cheese, reserve some for garnish if desired
- 1 small bunch fresh parsley, roughly chopped
- 1/2 – 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat a heavy duty dutch oven or stock pot over medium heat. Add the sliced bacon to the pot and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon to a small bowl or plate. Drain off the bacon grease (no need to wipe out the pan).
- Add in the butter and shallots. Stir with a wooden spoon and saute for 2 minutes. Add in the garlic, sea salt and southwest seasoning. Mix and saute for 1 minute. Pour in the cut up cauliflower and mix. Saute for 4 minutes.
- Pour in the bay leaf and chicken bone broth. Stir to combine and cover the pot with a lid. Turn the heat to medium/low for 14 minutes.
- Turn the heat to high. Mix together the coconut milk and tapioca flour in a small bowl, until there are no lumps of powder. Remove the lid and stir in the coconut milk mixture. Cook until the soup comes up to a rapid simmer/boil. Turn the heat off and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaf from the soup and discard. Stir in the grated smoked gouda cheese.
- Using a potato masher or immersion blender, mash or blend about half of the spoon – leaving some larger chunks of cauliflower if desired or blend until smooth. Stir in the parsley.
- To serve, ladle the soup into bowls and top with bacon, a sprinkle of more southwest seasoning, black pepper and any reserved gouda cheese. Enjoy.
Notes
As the soup stays in the pot it will become more thick.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: soup
- Method: stove-top
- Cuisine: dinner