700. Cauliflower and Chickpea soup

MEGA BLOGGING MARATHON -SEPT 2017

#80TH BLOGGING MARATHON

THEME: PROTEIN RICH DISHES/LENTILS

DAY:17

    If you browse through the internet, you will be inundated with recipes with cauliflower as the main ingredient especially if one is trying to follow a vegan or paleo diet. Cauliflower rice, cauliflower pizza base, cauliflower tortillas etc etc etc. Besides cauliflower rice, I've yet to try my hands on the other recipes.

As a kid I didn't like cauliflower too much. I think I hated it as the overcooked version smelt awful. I don't like to overcook it for sabjis, curries or for any dish where I'm using cauliflower. Even when I prepare soup,I just cook it enough so it remains a bit crunchy. 

   Did you know that cauliflower besides being rich in protein, is rich in Vitamins C, K and beta carotene. It belongs to the cancer fighting cruciferous family. Sulforaphane which is present in cauliflower, helps to regulate blood pressure and improves kidney function.Cauliflower boosts brain development, is rich in fiber therefore helps the digestive system to function well.And its low in calories.

   Hubby and I often enjoy a bowl of hot soup with some home baked bread as a light meal option. To add a bit more nutrients and oomph to the soups, I like adding toppings like croutons, roasted veggies, salsa etc. For this soup I added some curried chickpeas which made it even more delectable.  Easy to make and healthy, why would you want to buy ready made soups that have preservatives, high content of salt and coloring when one can make a healthy soup in minutes at home.

Protein sources in this recipe are cauliflower, chickpea, potato, milk.

By no means am I claiming or supporting any sort of fad diet that are the latest craze in the fitness world. I'm just trying to include non meat non fish dishes from which you can get your protein source. 

CAULIFLOWER AND CHICKPEA SOUP
Serves 4

2 cups (approx.250g) cauliflower florets
2 medium potatoes , peeled and diced
4-6 cloves of garlic, peeled
2 cups water or vegetable broth
1 cup milk or cream
1 tbsp butter or olive oil
1 tsp salt
1 cup boiled chickpeas
1 tsp red chilli powder
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp zaatar or dried herb of your choice
½ tsp coarse pepper powder

1. Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil or butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and stir fry for a few seconds.
3. Add cauliflower, potatoes and salt.
4. Mix well. Cover the saucepan with a lid and let the vegetables cook over low heat for 5 minutes.
5. Add water or vegetable broth and mix.
6. Cover the saucepan again and let the vegetables cook till done.
7. Cool the mixture a bit.
8. Put the mixture in a blender and process it to a smooth consistency.
9. Strain the soup through a sieve and put it back into the saucepan.
10. Add milk or cream and heat the soup over medium heat. 
11. In another small saucepan, heat 1 tsp olive oil
12. Add chili powder and the chickpeas. Sprinkle salt over it if its not cooked in salted water.
13. Mix it well.
14. Spoon the soup into serving bowls.
15. Top it with the curried chickpeas, dividing it equally.
16. Sprinkle coarse pepper powder and zaatar or a herb of your choice.
17. Serve with our favorite bread.

Tips:

1. I used milk but if you like a creamier soup then use cream.
2. If you don't like thick soup, add more water to bring it to a consistency you like.
3. Add cheese if you want to.

My Protein Rich Dishes so far:

Day 1 - Mixed Dal Paddu

Day 2 - Fruit and Nut Yogurt Parfait
Day 3 - Moong and Spinach Muthia
Day 4 - Paneer and Naan Bites
Day 5 - Veggie Shepherd's Pie
Day 6 - Nectarine and French Bean Quinoa Salad
Day 7 - Tofu Wraps
Day 8 - Sai Bhaji
Day 9 - Veg Protein Burrito Bowl
Day 10 - Palak Pakodi Chaat
Day 11 - Phyllo Cheesecake Cups
Day 12 - Garlicky Broccoli Quinoa
Day 13 - Quinoa Lapsi
Day 14 - Caprese Stuffed Portobello
Day 15 - Lentil and Carrot Kebabs

Day 16 - Bean and Veggie Pot Pies

Check out what other Mega Blogging Marathoners have made for Day 17:

An InLinkz Link-up

Sending this recipe to the following event:

Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 80