Cheddar & Cauliflower Soup

From The Mom 100 Cookbook

Super yummy. It's like a creamy potato soup - but no carbs! Save the carbs for some crusty bread on the side. Delish!

1 tbsp kosher or coarse salt, plus more to taste
1 large head cauliflower (2 lbs or so), cored and cut into 1" pieces
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 onion, chopped
1/2 tsp minced garlic
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp dried thyme, OR 1 big pinch of ground nutmet
4 C low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/8 tsp cayenne, or a few shakes of Tabasco sauce, or 1 squirt of Sriracha sauce (all optional)
1 C heavy (whipping) cream or whole milk, or a combination of the two
1 1/2 C (6oz) grated sharp or extra-sharp cheddar cheese
Freshly ground black pepper

Pour water to a depth of 1 inch into a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Add 1 Tbsp of salt and the cauliflower, cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium-high and let simmer until the cauliflower is tender, 7 to 9 minutes. Drain the cauliflower and set it aside.

Melt the butter in the same pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until tender but not browned, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until the garlic starts to turn golden and becomes fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in the flour and thyme or nutmet and cook, whisking, until the flour starts to color, about 3 minutes.

Gradually whisk in the broth, mustard and whatever spicy ingredient you may be using, if you are using one at all. Let come to a simmer and cook until the liquid thickens slightly, about 5 minutes, then stir in the cooked cauliflower.

At this point you can transfer the soup to a blender or food processor, and puree it, or better yet, use an immersion blender to puree it right in the pot until smooth. Make the soup as smooth or chunky as you like.

Return the soup to the pot if necessary and reheat it over medium-high heat. Add the cream or milk and cheddar cheese and stir until the cheese is melted and everything is hot, about 3 minutes. Don't let the soup come to a boil or it might separate. Taste for seasoning, adding more salt as necessary and black pepper to taste.

**I used nutmeg & just a teeny bit of cayenne. This was a hit with everyone in my family! Dahlia said I could "write that one down." :)