CAULIFLOWER AND SORREL SOUP

Cauliflower and Sorrel Soup image

Provided by Gordon Ramsay

Time 45m

Yield Serves 6 as a first course

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 large head cauliflower, stem discarded, florets chopped
1 medium potato, peeled and chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 cups light chicken stock
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
6 large sorrel leaves, stems trimmed, then shredded
2 tablespoons caviar (optional)
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

Place the cauliflower florets, potato, and onion in a saucepan with the butter and oil. Heat gently and, when the contents start to sizzle, cover with a lid and sweat everything over a low heat for about 10 minutes. The vegetables should not be at all colored.
Add the stock and bring to a boil, then pour in the milk and return gently to a boil. (This way, there will be no scum forming in the milk.) Season to taste, then simmer, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes when the vegetables should be soft.
Pour in half the cream, then puree in a food processor or blender, or blend in the pan with an immersion blender. Pass the puree through a sieve into a clean pan, rubbing with the back of a ladle.
Stir in the rest of the cream. Taste for seasoning and bring the soup to a boil. Ladle into soup plates, top with sorrel shreds, and add a spoonful of caviar to each. Serve.