Smoked Cauliflower Soup

INGREDIENTS:

2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp butter (sub vegan butter)
1 brown onion, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1⁄8 tsp fresh ground nutmeg
1⁄2 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
1 head of cauliflower, roughly chopped
4 cups vegetable stock
1 tsp JF Spicy Salt
1⁄2 cup half and half (sub non-dairy milk)
11⁄4 cup smoked gouda cheese, freshly grated (sub vegan cheese; I like Violife Smoked Provolone)

PROCESS:

In a large pot, heat the olive oil and butter on medium high heat. Add the onion and celery. Sauté for a few minutes until fragrant. Add the garlic and season with ground nutmeg and fresh cracked black pepper. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes. Add the cauliflower and sauté for a few minutes. Add the vegetable stock and season with JF Spicy Salt. Bring this to a boil and then simmer for 15 minutes. Using an immersion blender, carefully blend this in the pot until you reach your desired consistency. On medium low heat, add the half and half and the smoked gouda. Mix well until the cheese is melted and combined. Taste the soup before serving and season with extra JF Spicy Salt and fresh cracked black pepper. Top with chopped fresh chives and extra smoked gouda cheese.