From our Winter Olive Oil and Food Pairing Guide, roasted golden beets and cauliflower are puréed into a smooth savory soup that will keep you warm and healthy all winter long.
Heat the oven to 350°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cut the beets in half and wrap them loosely in tin foil. Place them on the baking sheet along with the florets of cauliflower. Drizzle the cauliflower with Colavita Olive Oil.
Bake in the oven until the beets are soft when pierced with a fork (about 25 minutes) and the cauliflower is soft and turning golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
When the beets are cooled, peel their skins off. Place the 4 large beets and the cauliflower in a blender or food processor with a half cup of low sodium chicken or vegetable stock and puree until smooth. You can freeze this puree to save it for another time, or use it immediately.
Heat 2 tablespoons Colavita Olive Oil in a medium stock pot over medium-low heat. Add the chopped shallots and garlic along with the thyme, fennel seeds and parsley. Simmer for about 3 minutes, or until the shallots are soft.
Add the cauliflower and beet purée, stirring to incorporate all the spices. Cook for about 5 minutes, then add the wine, paprika, salt, tarragon and freshly ground black pepper.
Simmer about 5 minutes, until the wine starts to thicken and reduce.
Add the rest of the stock and the white balsamic and continue to simmer for about 20 minutes. Taste for salt and add plenty of freshly ground pepper. Top with spiced croutons.
Heat an oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, combine all the spices.
Drizzle the cubes of bread with Colavita Olive Oil, then place them in the spice mixture and roll to coat. Toast them in the oven until slightly golden, about 8 minutes.
Remove them from the oven, and turn on the oven’s broiler. Spread a small amount of goat cheese on one side of the bread cubes.
Place them under the broiler for about a minute. Watch them carefully, as you only want the cheese to start to bubble and melt - not burn.
Pour the soup into a bowl. Slice the small roasted beets, and place a few slices on top of the soup. Drizzle with Colavita Olive Oil, and sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper, some fresh tarragon and a few more kernels of goat cheese.
Serve immediately.
Servings 4