Grilled cauliflower and low fat cheese soup

This delicious hearty soup is great for serving on a chilly evening; the top of the soup is covered in a cheese crust and then toasted under a hot grill. Serve with warm soda bread or freshly made cheese scones.

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To make the soup which serves four, you will need;

1 medium cauliflower, about (850g), broken into florets
350g onions, peeled and finely chopped
1 tbsp rosemary sprigs
2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp flour
900ml semi-skimmed milk
500ml low salt chicken stock
125g low fat hard cheese, finely grated
1 tsp paprika
ground black pepper
rocket to garnish

To prepare ahead

The soup can be made ahead of time up to the end of step 3.

1. In a large saucepan heat the oil and stir in the onion and cauliflower, garlic and rosemary. Cook, stirring, for at least 10min or until the onion is very soft and a golden colour.
2. Stir in the flour, milk and chicken stock. Season and bring to the boil. Cover and simmer gently for about 30 -35 min or until the cauliflower is very soft.
3. Cool the soup a little then puree in a blender or processor. Return the soup to the rinsed pan and reheat gently. Dilute, if necessary, with a little extra stock and correct the seasoning.
4. Turn the grill on to high. Place the bowls in a roasting tin. Stir 50g low fat grated hard cheese into the soup and ladle into shallow heatproof soup bowls (the bowls need to be quite full). Sprinkle the reserved cheese and a little paprika over the soup.
5. Boil a kettle of water and pour the hot water into the roasting tin around the base of the bowls to make a bain-maire. Using oven gloves, carefully lift the roasting pan under the grill and cook for about 5-10 min or until the tops are golden and bubbling. Carefully remove the roasting tin from the grill and lift the bowls out. Gently wipe dry and garnish with rocket. Serve the soup with warm soda bread or freshly made cheese scones.