Dehydrated Cauliflower Soup

Cauliflower Soup in a bowl

Super-tasty and soul-satisfying cauliflower soup. I just love how rich and creamy the consistency is. You'd almost think that cream was in the recipe!

Got pent-up frustration? Take it out on the cauliflower as you chop away! (See the NOTE below the list of ingredients).

However, if you are using your dehydrated cauliflower, you'll remain calm, cool, and collected!

More power to ya! :-)




Ingredients for Cauliflower Soup

Rich, Thick, Smooth, and Satisfying!

As noted below, please remember to rinse your millet and quinoa before adding it to the mix (especially the quinoa because it has a really bitter taste if you don't rinse it first).

NOTE: If you wish to make this delicious soup from fresh cauliflower, you can use the entire head of it. Yes, it will just about fill up the whole pan, but it does 'cook down'! Sprinkle on some chopped parsley for a nice garnish touch!

If you prefer your soup a little thinner, at the end of cooking, you can add half a cup of vegetable stock. But as I mentioned at the top of the page, I just love how thick and creamy this cauliflower soup is!

Also, at the bottom of this page is more information on the goodness of adding millet and quinoa to your diet.

How to Make Cauliflower Soup
the Easy Way!

  1. Use the freshly boiled water to rehydrate the dehydrated items above.
  2. When they are sufficiently plump, put the veggies into a heavy saucepan (with the optional millet and quinoa—RINSE the millet and quinoa first in a fine-sieve in the sink to get rid of the bitter taste).
  3. Add the chopped parsley, vegetable stock, and cumin, and cook for 15-20 minutes, until the cauliflower is fully cooked/soft.
  4. Use a blender to mix in small batches ... allow air to escape from the little hole in the lid so that the heat doesn't cause any explosive problems! Just have your hand over that top little hole to catch any runaway splashes if you don't have a Vitamix (I highly recommend Vitamix blenders). If you have a Vitamix blender, you can leave the small cap on as it has ventilation holes.
  5. Blend until smooth, about 45 - 60 seconds. Serve with an added sprig of parsley for garnish!

*IF you need to add salt, do so, BUT be careful NOT to over-salt as the bouillon has salt in it.

Different Colored Cauliflower!

brightly different colored cauliflower headsUsed by Permission / Canva registered user

The color of the vegetable is determined by the presence of certain pigments in the plant.

For example, anthocyanins are responsible for the blue and purple coloration in cauliflower.

These pigments are also found in other blue and purple fruits and vegetables, such as blueberries and eggplant.

Carotenoids are responsible for the orange coloration in cauliflower. These pigments are also found in other orange fruits and vegetables, such as carrots and sweet potatoes.

The white color of cauliflower is due to the absence of these pigments!

How to Grow Cauliflower

Here is an overview of how to grow cauliflower successfully:

  • Choose early-maturing cauliflower varieties best suited for your climate. Popular varieties include Snow Crown, Candid Charm, Graffiti, and White Sails.
  • Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost. Place the seedlings outdoors a week or two after the last frost when they have 3-4 true leaves.
  • Cauliflower needs full sun (at least 6 hours per day) and nutrient-rich, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 - 7.5. Amend soil with compost or fertilizer before planting.
  • Space plants 18-24 inches apart in rows 2-3 feet apart. Plant seedlings at the same depth they were growing in starter pots.
  • Water cauliflower regularly, about 1-2 inches per week. Drought stress will cause heads to be small and bitter.
  • When heads start forming, tie outer leaves over the head to protect it from sunlight which can cause discoloration.
  • Side dress with nitrogen-rich fertilizer when heads start developing to promote growth.
  • Harvest cauliflower when the heads reach full size, are compact and bright white. Cut the head along with a few attached leaves.
  • Cauliflower is cold hardy but matures best with temperatures between 60-70°F. Time plantings for maturity during cooler fall weather.

With proper sowing, spacing, sunlight, and irrigation, home gardeners can successfully grow bountiful cauliflower.

The best cauliflower-growing regions in the US are

  • California
  • Arizona
  • Oregon
  • New York
  • Washington
  • Texas

Cauliflower thrives in cooler temperatures, ranging between 60-70°F, and requires consistent moisture. Early fall planting for winter maturation is ideal in most parts of the country.




20 Taste-Tested Easy Recipes
(there are 26, actually!)

Easy Meals to Make with Dehydrated Food
Recipe eBook

20 Taste-Tested Easy Recipes = 75+ pg eBook

20 Taste-Tested Easy Recipes Containing Dehydrated Food

Buy Now orange button

or choose our
Paperback
HERE
.


20 Taste-Tested
Easy Recipes

(there are 26, actually!)

Easy Meals to Make
with Dehydrated Food
Recipe eBook

20 Taste-Tested Easy Recipes = 75+ pg eBook

20 Taste-Tested Easy Recipes Containing Dehydrated Food
Buy Now orange button

or choose our
Paperback HERE.

Is Millet Good For You?

Millet is a very healthy gluten-free grain with several benefits:

  • Highly nutritious - Millet is high in protein, fiber, antioxidants, magnesium, phosphorous, and other minerals. It contains no gluten.
  • Digestible - Since millet is alkalizing, non-acidic, and easy to digest, it is considered one of the least allergenic and most digestible grains. This makes it gentle on the stomach.
  • Helps manage diabetes - The high magnesium content in millet can help regulate blood sugar levels which is beneficial for managing diabetes. The fiber helps control blood sugar spikes.
  • Supports heart health - Eating millet can lower triglycerides and C-reactive protein which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The niacin in millet helps lower cholesterol.
  • Aids weight loss - The combination of fiber, protein, and nutrients makes millet quite filling. It helps curb appetite and can be part of a healthy weight-loss diet.
  • Prebiotic benefits - The non-digestible carbohydrates in millet serve as food for good gut bacteria promoting overall gut health.
  • Gluten-free - For those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, millet provides a nutritious gluten-free alternative to wheat and other grains.

Is Quinoa Good For You?

Quinoa is very good for you due to its exceptional nutritional profile:

  • Complete protein - Quinoa contains all 9 essential amino acids, making it a complete protein. This is rare among grains. The protein content is also relatively high at around 4 grams per 1/4 cup uncooked.
  • High fiber - Quinoa contains 5 grams of fiber per 1/4 cup. The fiber helps regulate digestion and promotes feelings of fullness.
  • Complex carbohydrates - Quinoa is mainly composed of slow-digesting complex carbs rather than fast-digesting carbs. This gives you steady energy.
  • High iron - Quinoa contains much more iron than other grains. This helps transport oxygen around the body and prevents anemia.
  • Rich antioxidants - Quinoa is very high in antioxidants including quercetin, kaempferol, and ferulic acid. These help eliminate free radicals and reduce inflammation.
  • Low glycemic index - The glycemic index of quinoa is around 53, meaning it won't cause big spikes in blood sugar. This helps manage diabetes.
  • Gluten-free - Quinoa is naturally gluten-free, providing a grain option if you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
  • Versatile - Quinoa has a mild, nutty flavor that works well in both sweet and savory dishes from breakfast to dinner.

Both the millet and quinoa information directly above and the "how to grow cauliflower" information farther up the page is brought to you by Claude 2. Thanks, Claude!

More Good Stuff to Read!


Susan Gast, owner of Easy Food Dehydrating plus ePubTechReviews.com, and SusanGast.com

Susan Gast began Easy Food Dehydrating in December 2010.

Read Susan's story of what sparked her interest in all things related to "food dehydrating."

She is featured on the Mother Earth News blog, and on Solo Build It! (SBI!) who hosts this site. Read her first SBI! interview and her second SBI! interview.

Since 1980, Susan's involvement in publishing - in one form or another - led her to create ePubTechReviews which reviews a variety of products related to the publishing industry - if you're at all interested in AI and self-publishing. The website is also hosted by Solo Build It!

Susan also runs her namesake site SusanGast.com on Solo Build It! that showcases the books she has written since 2012.

Do you want to send Susan a quick message? Visit her contact page here. She'd love to hear from you!