Grandpa's Birthday

Yesterday was my dad's birthday.  Mom is gone to Utah with Kendra's kids. Dad doesn't really like to receive gifts so we invited him over for dinner.   Cauliflower soup from the Pioneer Woman with freshly baked rolls.  And I baked my first solo apple pie.  Yum. 

Here are a few things about my dad that most people don't know:

*He doesn't like to receive gifts.  It is stressful for him.  He actually prefers to pick out his own gifts.       I'm kind of like that!

*His dresser drawers are perfectly organized.  Every item is neatly rolled. 

*He does the dishes every Sunday. 

*He LOVES missionary work and is especially good with meeting new people. 

*His dog Bernie turns him into a softie.  Bernie loves my dad and my dad loves him.

One of the best parts of living in my home town is getting to spend time with my parents in an ordinary day-to-day setting.  

Happy Birthday Dad!

And here's the soup recipe:

I add a few tablespoons of Better than bullion chicken flavor paste along with the broth. And I make a bigger batch than this because I have a house of hungry folks!

Cauliflower soup--Ree Drummond

• 1 stick Butter, Divided
• 1/2 whole Onion, Finely Diced
• 1 whole Carrot Finely Diced
• 1 stalk Celery, Finely Diced
• 1 whole (to 2 Whole) Cauliflower Heads (roughly Chopped)
• 2 Tablespoons Fresh Or Dried Parsley, Chopped
• 2 quarts Low-sodium Chicken Broth Or Stock
• 6 Tablespoons All-purpose Flour
• 2 cups Whole Milk
• 1 cup Half-and-half
• 2 teaspoons To 4 Teaspoons Salt, To Taste
• 1 cup (heaping) Sour Cream, Room Temperature

INSTRUCTIONS

In a large soup pot or dutch oven, melt 4 tablespoons butter. Add the onion and cook for a few minutes, or until it starts to turn brown. 

Add the carrots and celery and cook an additional couple of minutes. Add cauliflower and parsley and stir to combine. 

Cover and cook over very low heat for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, pour in chicken stock or broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer.

In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter. Mix the flour with the milk and whisk to combine. Add flour-milk mixture slowly to the butter, whisking constantly. 

Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup half-and-half. Add mixture to the simmering soup. Allow to simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Check seasoning and add more salt or pepper if necessary. 

Just before serving, place the sour cream in a serving bowl or soup tureen. Add two to three ladles of hot soup into the tureen and stir to combine with the sour cream. Pour in remaining soup and stir.

Serve immediately.