… finally the winter has arrived! After much debate about whether the weather was going to just bypass winter altogether and go straight into spring it seems as though in fact we are in for a blast of cold after all. I’m very pleased about this and in fact I think, like many of us, we’d wished for this sharp, cold snap during Christmas so we could celebrate the festivities in true winter style and not the wash-out we were lumbered with… most of the people I spoke to after Christmas all agreed that the weather really is a determining factor in whether Christmas is really Christmassy if it’s not cold and preferably snowy. Of course this is probably just what you’re used to. Those who live in sunnier climes or the southern hemisphere have Christmas in Summer and that’s the way it’s always been and one imagines that a snowy ‘white christmas’ would be as alien to them as turkey on the beach would be to us. For me, this cold weather means lots of walks in the countryside on ground that’s finally frozen solid… snuggling by a fire that’s actually on for a reason… and lots and lots of soup…
leek, lemongrass, cauliflower and chilli soup with coconut milk
January, I feel, is a month of soups… they’re warming, easy to make and can be a great way to kick-start diets because they are very filling and if you’re clever you can pack them with wonderful fresh and healthy ingredients which is always nice…I make this soup so regularly now that it’s become something of a fixture here in Belleau Cottage but each time I make it I try and add a different twist. I adore the lemongrass with the leeks. It adds such a refreshing twist to the classic leek and potato style of soup and of course, swapping out the potato for cauliflower is always a great dieters tip and the cauliflower – so trendy right now – gives the soup the creamy thickness you need. Adding a mild chilli adds some much needed fire to the proceedings which is perfect for this time of year and the coconut milk just makes the whole thing very rich and adds a subtle south-asian note. I love this soup and want everyone to make it please…
1 medium onion – finely chopped
3 leeks – washed and trimmed and chopped
1 medium cauliflower – roughly chopped
1 stick of lemongrass – snapped in three places but still together
a handful of fresh or frozen peas
1 pint veg stock 150ml coconut milk
a large nob of butter (remember Leeks LOVE butter!)
olive oil
a pinch of salt and pepper to taste
in a large pan, gently heat a large nob butter and a little drizzle of olive oil, add your onion and let them sweat a little until begin to turn translucent then throw in your leeks, chilli and cauliflower and stir.
add the lemongrass, turn the heat down to the lowest, place the lid on and let the vegetables sweat for at least 5 mins until they are soft… at this stage I scoop out a large spoonful of leeks and chilli and set aside for a garnish… then add the peas and pour in the stock and coconut milk
let it bubble gently for another 10 minutes then turn off the heat and let it cool a little. Remove the stick of lemongrass before whizzing up with a stick blender
What a beautiful colour and with a bling factor in the styling. Coconut milk always feels a bit decadent to me, I just love the combo with the leeks and lemongrass, Wales meets Thailand!
I'm with Janice! That subtle touch of Thai speaks to me.
Best,
Bonnie
The sweet pepper and cauliflower is a great addition to a leek soup – and it is very, very pretty with gorgeous colors. Enjoy your cold weather – we are having some too. I'll be ready for spring soon 🙂
I see 'lemongrass' and I think 'Thai'! Great fusion here and perfect for the weather!
Thanks Janice. I love Wales meets Thailand!!
Thanks Bonnie. I'm rarely subtle but I try!
Thanks. I am loving this cold weather. Long walk. Large bowl of soup!!!
Thanks Kate. It's a great combo.
We're both on the cauliflower this weekend. Lovely looking soup Dom and I love that you've taken the time to top it. I'm always in too much of a rush to bother, but it makes all the difference. Stumbled and pinned.
Thanks Jaq… the topping really is for photography only… I would rarely bother but it's quite easy to pull out some of the cooking ingredients as you go!
Love this gorgeous looking soup Dom, lemon grass and coconut milk are 2 of my favourite flavours. Will pin this for later as I'm sure I have some lemon grass in the freezer!
Any soup with chilli in it has my attention straight away! I'm a big fan of soup just like you are, and I'm pretty sure I'd like that one. Lots of people in the UK don't really know how to use Lemongrass, but once they stop being puzzled by it everyone loves it. Lemony without being Citrussy, if you know what I mean.
Oh this looks scrumptious – I love combining coconut and chilli, so warming.
Thanks Camilla… I also adore these flavour combos x
Thanks Mark… I know exactly what you mean about lemon grass and it's more of a scent too!
Thanks Claire… it was very warming x
It IS the time of year for a 'good sustaining soup', as Pooh would say! Our winter seems to arrived this week too and I am all about a hambone and navy beans today. I DID buy a cauliflower this week at market though! And the next pot of soup is a weekend project, as we are supposed to get a real winter storm … snow and all ! The natives are all excited! Stay warm and cozy in your neck of the woods, dearie!
That is one gorgeous bowl of goodness. If only I had a fireplace to sit down and enjoy it. But no matter, everything you have including is nourishing and warming. Thanks so much for sharing with NCR.