Copy Cat- Zupas

So I know this is the wrong time of year to post this but the level of goodness is worth it.

 A few weeks ago Logan and I came down with a bad case of food poisoning and it took us a good while to fully recover from it. With sick, picky stomachs on our hands, we felt it was our obligation to eat at Zupas practically every night. Obviously a necessity when sick. 

Their soups are SOOO delicious. . . and addicting. I'm pretty sure any time we feel the least bit sick we use it as an excuse to go to Zupas for dinner.  

The problem with this is for a poor married couple like ourselves this habit can cost a pretty penny after a while, and because we both enjoy cooking so thoroughly we decided we should probably look for an alternative means of obtaining that bowl of goodness. A compromise of sorts.

Copy-cat Wisconsin Cauliflower Recipe. 


It was so good and so similar to the original recipe I feel I should share it with those who would like to partake. Enjoy. 

WISCONSIN CAULIFLOWER

INGREDIENTS

• HEAD OF  CAULIFLOWER
• OLIVE OIL
• 3 tbsp. bUTTER
• 1 mED. oNION [CHOPPED]
• 1/4 cup Flour
• 1/2 tsp. Salt
• 1 cup Half and Half
• 1 cup Milk
• 1 1/2 cups Water
• 1 (14.5 oz) can Chicken Broth
• 1 tsp. Dijon Mustard
• 1 1/2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• 1/2 cup Pepper Jack Cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place Cauliflower head in oven at 450° F for ~20 mins.  
2. In the meantime, melt butter and chopped onion together in a large saucepan and sauté for approximately 10 minutes over medium heat until onion turns golden in color.
3. Add flour, it will turn into like a wet paste looking mixture (i.e the beginnings of a roux).
4. Slowly add half and half along with the milk. Gradually add and stir the entire time. Following the milk, gradually add water and chicken broth and stir constantly.
5. Once cauliflower is done, coarsely chop it up and add to your creamy soup base.  
6. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until cauliflower is tender [This takes about 10 min]
7. Place contents of sauce pan into blender and blend until smooth. [Remove center part of blender cover to allow steam to escape]
8. Return cauliflower mixture to saucepan; heat over medium heat until hot, stirring occasionally. Remove saucepan from heat; stir in mustard and cheese until melted and smooth.
9. Serve and Enjoy :]

Some day I will have glorious restaurant food originate from my kitchen. Check.