A creamy and comforting vegetable chowder featuring tender cauliflower, potatoes, and carrots with gentle warmth from spices.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into small florets
02 - 2 medium carrots, diced
03 - 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
04 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 celery stalks, diced
→ Dairy
07 - 2 cups whole milk
08 - 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
09 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
→ Liquids
10 - 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
→ Spices & Seasonings
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
→ Thickener
15 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
→ Garnish
16 - Chopped fresh parsley
17 - Extra grated cheese
18 - Crushed red pepper flakes
# Directions:
01 - Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, minced garlic, diced celery, and carrots. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften and become fragrant.
02 - Sprinkle flour into the pot, stirring constantly to coat the vegetables. Cook for 1 minute to remove raw flour taste, creating a thickening base for the chowder.
03 - Slowly pour in vegetable broth while whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Bring mixture to a gentle boil.
04 - Add diced potatoes and cauliflower florets to the boiling broth. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15–18 minutes until vegetables are fork-tender.
05 - Pour in whole milk and add dried thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and white pepper. Simmer gently for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and soup to thicken slightly.
06 - Use immersion blender to partially blend the chowder, leaving some vegetable chunks intact for texture. Blend about half the soup until creamy while maintaining hearty consistency.
07 - Stir in grated sharp cheddar cheese until completely melted and incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
08 - Ladle hot chowder into serving bowls. Top with fresh chopped parsley, extra grated cheese, or crushed red pepper flakes as desired. Serve immediately while hot.
