Wisconsin Cauliflower Soup

Every time I walk into the restaurant Cafe Zupas my heart skips a beat wishing I could try the Cauliflower soup.  I settle for the gluten free Tuscan Bean & Vegetable, which is very good, but oh how I wish they were all gluten free.  I've been on the hunt for Cauliflower soup recipe and have tried a few that were not so good, but I've finally found one that is delish!  This recipe is adapted from the Chef in Training blog and you can find the original recipe here.  My family likes a little texture in our soup, so I don't blend it toward the end.  That's why you can see a little celery in the photo.  The directions for both ways are listed below.

You can find my recipe for the breadsticks here.

3 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1/4 cup featherlight flour, or another all-purpose GF flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pint half and half
1/2 cup milk
3 1/2 cups water
2 chicken bouillon cubes
1 head cauliflower, chopped
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup pepper jack cheese, shredded

In a large saucepan add butter, onion and celery and saute for about 10 minutes, until very soft.  Add flour and stir until flour is heated about a minute.  Slowly add half and half, milk, water and bouillon cubes, stirring constantly.  Add chopped cauliflower and heat to a boil, stirring often.  Reduce heat and simmer until cauliflower is tender.

Here is where you make a choice; texture or smooth?

     Texture:  If you like a little texture in your soup, whisk the soup to break the cauliflower into  
                    smaller pieces.

     Smooth:  If you like the soup smooth, place soup into a blender and blend.  Then return soup to the
                    saucepan and heat until hot, stirring occasionally.

Remove saucepan from heat and stir in mustard and cheese until melted and smooth.  Top with shredded cheese for garnish.