Cauliflower Mushroom Soup, AIP

As the fall season comes into focus, we have good reason to enjoy soup again! This soup is full of end of summer vegetables and has become a favorite in our home. It also makes it easier to get the needed nutrients when following the AutoImmune Paleo (AIP) diet. You can add roasted chicken or other meats to make it a complete meal. Or enjoy alongside a salad for a light lunch.

Ingredients:

• 1 Head Cauliflower, trimmed and cut into large pieces including stem
• 3 Medium Zucchini (or 4 Small), chopped and seeds removed
• 2 Medium Yellow Squash (or 3 Small), chopped and seeds removed
• 1 1/2 Pints Shiitake Mushrooms, woody stems removed
• 4-5 large Oyster Mushrooms (optional)
• 1 cup yellow onion, roughly chopped
• 2 Tbls Olive Oil
• 1/4 – 1/2 cup fresh Basil (can substitute Parsley if you prefer)
• 1 (15 oz) can coconut milk (full fat with no fillers such as guar gum)
• 32 oz bone broth or chicken stock
• 16 – 32 oz filtered water
• sea salt to taste

Method:

1. Add diced onion with the 2 Tbls olive oil to a large stock pot. Cook on medium low until the onions are browned and caramelized, stirring occasionally.
2. While the onions are cooking, wash and chop the vegetables. NOTE: You can choose to peel the zucchini or leave the peel on, I usually peel about half the green zucchini so my soup does not have a “green” hue.
3. Once onions are caramelized, add the rest of the chopped vegetables to the stock pot along with the broth and coconut oil. Then add enough filtered water to the stock pot to just cover the vegetables.
4. Simmer on low heat until all vegetables are soft, about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.
5. When vegetables are soft, turn off the heat and allow to cool slightly.
6. While the soup is cooling, wash the fresh basil and remove stems.
7. Add basil to soup pot. Using an immersion blender, blend the stock and vegetables until smooth.
8. Add salt to taste.

This recipe makes a lot of soup and can be frozen in individual servings. You can also use it in casserole or baked chicken recipes as a mock “cream of mushroom” soup.

Enjoy!

NOTE: If you are not following the AutoImmune Paleo diet and can have dairy, simply substitute the coconut milk for heavy cream.