Start out by chopping your bacon into little pieces and add them to a dutch oven to render out the fat. Once the bacon is cooked, and it wont take long, use a slotted spoon to remove the pieces to a paper towel lined plate.
Drain the fat out of the pot but do not wipe clean. Those browned bits on the bottom will happen if you've used a dutch oven or stainless steel pot. That's why you always see our Le Creuset, bits of the food are on the bottom and they add a ridiculous amount of flavor to any meal.
Place a little butter and olive oil in the pot and add your onion, carrot and celery and once they start cooking, about 2 minutes, add the cauliflower and cook and turn the heat down to medium low for 15 minutes or until tender.
At this point add your garlic and thyme that way they become fragrant, but don't burn due to the long 15 minutes.
Next it's all a matter of thickening things up. Add the flour and a little more oil if the bottom of the pot is dry, and stir until the veggies are all coated.
Pour in the liquids, salt and pepper and bay leaf and allow to simmer 20-40 minutes over low heat.
We are hungry by this point and usually just do 20.
Taste the soup right before serving and add more salt if it's bland.
Serve with bacon bits, cheese and parsley!
Notes
Left overs should be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator. They will keep for 4 days.
Nutrition Facts
One Pot Cauliflower Chowder
Amount Per Serving (1 cup)
Calories 222Calories from Fat 108
% Daily Value*
Fat 12g18%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 5g
Cholesterol 22mg7%
Sodium 297mg13%
Potassium 692mg20%
Carbohydrates 21g7%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 11g12%
Protein 10g20%
Vitamin A 4489IU90%
Vitamin C 58mg70%
Calcium 219mg22%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.