Wisconsin Cauliflower Soup

Source: Utah Deal Diva

Ingredients:
2 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk**
1 1/2 cups water**
1 can (13 3/4 to 14 1/2 ounces) chicken broth
1 head (2 1/2 pounds) cauliflower, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (we just used regular mustard, and probably more like 2 tsp.)
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup Pepper Jack cheese, shredded

**Can substitute 1 can {12 oz} evaporated milk and 2 cups water for the 2 cups milk and 1 1/2 cups water.

Directions:
In a large saucepan, melt margarine or butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook until golden, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Whisk in flour and salt. Gradually stir in milk, chicken broth, and water.

Add cauliflower and heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer until cauliflower is tender, about 15 minutes.

In blender (with center part of blender cover removed to allow steam to escape), blend cauliflower mixture at low speed in small batches until very smooth. {Don't let this step deter you from making the soup! Blending it is really easy and so worth the extra 3 minutes. The most annoying part are the added dishes!}

Return cauliflower mixture to saucepan; heat over medium heat until hot, stirring occasionally.

Remove saucepan from heat; stir in mustard and 1 1/2 cups cheese until melted and smooth. Serve soup with remaining cheese as a garnish.

Notes: I'll admit, I was quite intrigued by this recipe when I first saw it, but I was also a little scared. No need to worry, however. It was so easy! And so yummy! Almost the consistency of cream of wheat, it was definitely unique, but not too weird. And I loved the tiny kick that came from the pepper jack cheese. We want to try using the cauliflower base for other kinds of soups like broccoli cheddar or clam chowder. Try it! (P.S. The Utah Deal Diva has step-by-step picture instructions. I don't. Also, I know I need to work on my food-photography skills. All in due time. ;)