Cozy, nutrient-packed soup with tender cauliflower, broccoli, and crisp homemade croutons for chilly days.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets
02 - 1 medium head broccoli, cut into florets
03 - 1 medium onion, diced
04 - 2 medium carrots, diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 medium potato, peeled and diced
→ Liquids
08 - 5 cups vegetable stock
09 - 3/4 cup whole milk or plant-based milk
10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
→ Seasonings
11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
13 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
14 - Pinch of nutmeg, optional
→ Croutons
15 - 2 cups day-old bread, cut into cubes
16 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
17 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
18 - Salt and pepper to taste
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F for the croutons.
02 - In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add diced potato, cauliflower florets, and broccoli florets. Sauté for another 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
04 - Pour in the vegetable stock. Add dried thyme, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg if using. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes until all vegetables are tender.
05 - While soup simmers, toss bread cubes with 2 tablespoons olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly on a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until golden and crisp. Set aside.
06 - When vegetables are completely tender, remove pot from heat. Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until completely smooth. Alternatively, blend in batches using a countertop blender.
07 - Stir in the milk and gently reheat the soup over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. Adjust seasoning to taste.
08 - Ladle soup into serving bowls and top generously with homemade croutons.
