Roasted cauliflower, leek and coconut soup

This month Dominic Franks serves up a spicy soup to ward off the winter chill and boost wellbeing.

What I adore about this soup is that it instantly transports me to warmer climes. That wonderfully rich taste of the Thai-inspired spices combined with the creaminess of the coconut milk just makes me think of walking along a tropical beach at sunrise. And that colour just reminds me of the hot sun on my back.

It’s just what we need on these gloomy February days. The soup is also packed with goodness, which makes this a wonderful way to stay healthy but not compromise on taste. However, the thing I like about it the most is that in 30 mins you have the most wonderful meal ready to go!

METHOD
• Preheat the oven to 180°C fan.
• Lay the chopped cauliflower into a roasting tin, drizzle with a little olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Roast the cauliflower for 30 minutes, or until it is soft and beginning to brown.
• Gently melt a little butter and olive oil in a large pan over a medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes. Stir in the leek and then the carrots. Place the lid on the pan and continue to cook, until both the carrots and onion are soft and beginning to brown – roughly 10 minutes.
• Add the ginger and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Next add the turmeric and Thai curry paste and cook for 1 more minute.
• Add the stock and bring it all to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to low and gently simmer until the cauliflower has finished cooking. Take the cauliflower out of the oven and stir it into the pot. (I keep back a few bits of cauliflower to garnish the soup at the end.)
• Turn the heat off and let it cool by half (roughly 15 mins) before pouring in the coconut milk.
• Blend well using a stick-blender, then add any salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle with a little chilli oil and a squeeze of fresh lime to add some zing!

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