
Saying that I like food would be an understatement. I have a food blog and I think about food most of the time. However, there are a few ingredients, produce and foods that I dislike. Cauliflower is in that black list even after I grew out of my dislike for most vegetables. Under that innocent looking white face cauliflower is evil. Trust me on this one.
But as a good member of the Foodie Kingdom that The Leftover Queen governs I have to participate in the monthly Foodie Joust (OK, I admit I am not a good member because I haven’t participated for a while). The three ingredients for this month are noodles, mushrooms and (evil) cauliflower. That gave me the idea of making a veggie and pasta soup (remember this soup?) that would cover the flavor of cauliflower making it edible for me (since I have been sick for the past 5 days). I present to you my entry for this month’s Joust.
I still don’t like cauliflower, but at least I couldn’t taste it with all the other flavors in this soup. It was another tasty belly warmer for another cold day in the heart of the country.Roasted cauliflower and mushroom pasta soup
Makes 4 servingsFor this recipe you will need:
- 1/2 lb noodles (I used rottini)
- 1/2 lb cauliflower
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 sliced Serrano pepper (optional for heat)
- 1 TBSP olive oil
- 1 cup tomato
- 1/2 onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 cups beet greens
- salt and pepper
Preparation:
- Cook the noodles following the instructions on the box. Drain noodles and save the water.
- Put pepper, cauliflower and mushrooms in a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and add salt and pepper. Roast for 10-15 minutes.
- Blend tomato, onion and garlic with one cup of the pasta water, mix with the rest of the water you saved and cook in a pot over medium heat until it starts to boil.
- Add roasted veggies to the pot and bring to a boil again.
- Add beet greens, pasta and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 5 minutes before serving.
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¡Buen provecho!
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The host this week is Haalo of Cook almost anything

































JennDZ_The LeftoverQueen
Looks great Ben! I am so happy you participated even when one of the ingredients is on your “black list”!
Best of luck!
Judy
Great entry Ben…Hope you feel 100% soon!
kellypea
You’re a bad member? Dang. There’s probably a WANTED sign nailed to a tree somewhere for me. Arg….So on the soup — there are so many great things about it because I really like cauliflower (it’s amazingly healthy for you…) but the beet greens and serrano chili? Oh, my. Sounds totally delicious, and your photo is perfect.
Peter G
It’s not that bad really! I like your soup and good luck in the Joust!
kat
Oh man I have grown to love cauliflower over the last couple of years. That is a might fine looking soup & entry to the Joust
Hélène
What a great way to disguise the flavor of cauliflower. We like it roasted with a tahini sauce. The boys eat it that way.
deeba
I’m glad you put the ‘evil’ cauliflower to such good use Ben. My hub shares your thoughts about this veggie, & my kids will not touch it with a bargepole! That soup does look superb…who would know that the humble cauliflower would appear in this delish avatar!! Well done!!
toontz
Evil, really? It’s not a favorite…but evil? lol
Pigpigscorner
I hate cauliflower but I want to take part in the foodie joust since I just joined the forum.Scratching my head now. But your dish does look delicious.
recipes2share
Good on you Ben, for cooking with cauliflower. I love it & the soup looks fab!
joan nova
Very funny but that’s not nice to call cauliflower ‘evil’. It’s really quite good – I love it raw as a scoop for hummus and roasted in the oven with breadcrumbs and parmesan.
Creative use of the ingredients for RFJ. Good luck!
Natashya
I love your soup! Cauliflower is at it’s best when roasted. Yum!
The Duo Dishes
How could you not like cauliflower? Roast it with lots of garlic and curry or mash it with celeriac, cream and butter for creamy ‘potato’ like dish. Orrrrrr bread it and pan fry. Ahhhh! Love it. Your soup looks hearty and healthy though. Healthier than some of our options.
Cynthia
Ben, that broth looks sooo good.
mikky
looks amazing!!!
happy chinese new year!!!
Ruth
Poor cauliflower ;-( it gets such a bad rap. I must admit, depending on who’s coming to dinner, I often have to puree it into a dish…you know the adage “what they don’t know, won’t hurt”
Thanks for sharing this awesome looking soup with Presto Pasta Nights.
Ivy
Hope you are feeling much better Ben. One of the reasons you don’t see cauliflower on my blog is that my children hate it, just like you. Good luck with the Joust.
lisaiscooking
Your soup looks fantastic! I love cauliflower and mushrooms.
Jude
Can’t blame you on disliking cauliflower. Nice way to use up all those ingredients, though!
Nuria
Your soup looks delicious Ben! Any leftovers? I can have them all!!! Good luck in the Joust
. I’m submitting my entry tomorrow.
Do you like brocoli or tampoco?
Angela
I actually like cauliflower, BUT when I thought of it with mushrooms, I was feeling like you. I think it’s the texture thing. I couldn’t see the two textures together. Good for you for participating with an ingredient you hate.