Coconut Cauliflower and Chickpea Soup

Cauliflower is packed with nutrients and high vibrational goodness, so I like to include it in my weekly cuisine in ample amounts whenever it’s in season. I love it raw, cooked in soups and curries, or gently steamed and served on a soft bed of quinoa with hemp oil and tamari (nothing beats a bit of good ol’ fashioned simplicity!) The coconut and tomato in this recipe dance and twirl so delightfully through the cauliflower and chickpeas (garbonzo beans) to provide a finger-lickin’ nurturing meal. It’s simple (less is more in this case) and incredibly satiating. Enjoy!

Coconut Cauliflower and Chickpea Soup [Vegan]

Ingredients

• 1 small cauliflower, including leaves
• 1 medium onion
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 1 cup passata
• 1/2 cup coconut cream
• 1/2 12-ounce can chickpeas
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• A drizzle of olive oil
• A small handful of fresh basil

Preparation

1. Chop onion and sauté in a medium sized pan with olive oil for a couple of minutes.
2. Chop cauliflower and any tender cauliflower leaves and toss into the pan, adding all other remaining ingredients.
3. Bring to the boil and gently cook for about 20 minutes (or until the cauliflower is soft).
4. Take off the heat. If you have a hand blender then pop it in the pan and pulsate the blade with one or two quick presses. Or use a regular jug blender by scooping a couple of ladles worth in and giving it a whirl before adding it back to the remaining soup. Blending like this gives the soup a little more desirable thickness. However, blending is not compulsory.
5. Finally, gently tear basil, toss in the pan, give a quick stir and then serve.

Notes

Alternatives: Coconut: If you don’t have coconut cream, then use 50 g of coconut block instead. Or use organic coconut milk from a can (but be sure to leave out most of the spring water because milk is generally rather liquidy). Different forms of coconut yield different results, so be sure to play and explore. Chickpeas: Use butter beans or even sweet potatoes for a tasty variation. Herbs: You might prefer coriander leaf or parsley instead of basil. The soup is versatile. Passata: Passata is bottled/jarred tomato that has been cooked and sieved. I love using them in soups. Tinned tomatoes or even your own baked tomatoes work fine as an alternative though. Use what you have available. If I have a nice crop of fresh tomatoes in the summer (which is rare, since growing tomatoes is not my forte, I’d be happy to bake them, blend them, and make my own alternative.)

https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/coconut-cauliflower-and-chickpea-soup/