Turkish Cauliflower & Yoghurt Soup

Turkish Cauliflower & Yoghurt Soup

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #9b9b9b;”] W[/dropcap]hen I was back packing around the world in my 20s, one of my favourite countries was Turkey. I just loved everything about it. The history, the people and of course the food!

Turkish food has that wonderful fresh ingredient simplicity you find around the Mediterranean but there are little twists on every day ingredients that make it feel a little bit exotic and new. Without requiring a massive expedition to stock your pantry.

A brilliant example is their use of yoghurt in a soup like this to add creamy tartness to a good old cauliflower soup. And I love how they drizzle on melted butter to add richness and substance. So so good!

enough for: 2
takes: 30 minutes
1 onion
1/2 cauliflower (about 500g / 1lb)
1 teaspoon ground coriander
250g (1 cup) Greek yoghurt
4-6 tablespoons butter
pinch dried chilli flakes or smoked paprika (optional)

1. Heat a little oil in a medium saucepan on a medium heat. Dice onion and add to the pan. Cook onion with the lid on, stirring every now and then until the onion is soft but not browned. About 10 minutes.

2. Chop cauliflower into bite sized chunks and add to the softened onion with the coriander and 1.5 cups water. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes or until cauliflower is tender. Puree soup using a stick blender or regular blender.

3. Stir in yoghurt and warm gently on the stove. Don’t let it simmer as the yoghurt will curdle. Taste and season with salt.

4. Melt butter in a small saucepan. Divide soup between two bowls. Drizzle over the melted butter and sprinkle with chilli / paprika (if using).

Wine Match: A crisp fresh white like Pinot Gris or Riesling.

Variations

5-ingredients – skip the chilli / smoked paprika or the coriander.

dairy-free – use coconut cream instead of the yoghurt and coconut oil instead of the butter.

short on time – skip the onion.

more substantial / carb-lovers – serve with warm Turkish flat bread or pita.

different veg – I love love love this creamy cauliflower but you could substitute broccoli, butternut squash or root veg like sweet potato, carrot, celeriac (celery root) or parsnip. I’m also thinking a mushroom soup would be wonderful with these accompaniments. You could also add diced carrot and celery with the onion.

Enjoy!
With love,
Jules x

ps. Tired of deciding what to cook?

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #9b9b9b;”] L[/dropcap]ooking for a weekly meal planning service where someone else comes up with the ideas for what to have for dinner?

Then check out my Soupstones Meal Plans.

For more details click here.