Avocado Pear Soup with Beet Greens and Cauliflower

I was going to say that this is the best tasting soup I've had this year (but realized that wouldn't be particularly impactful).  So, let me just say that this soup is delicious - and great for you!

As promised, it uses up the beet greens leftover from the Beet and Apple Cucumber Tonic recipe, as well as some of the fresh parsley.

It has a silky smooth consistency with a gentle sweetness from the pear and a satisfying taste and texture from the avocado. 

I didn't detect any hint of bitterness from the greens and our boys gobbled it up without hesitation, both declaring they loved it. I'm quite certain anyone you serve it to will have no idea it contains two cups of beet greens (not to mention three cups of cauliflower*...). 

In other irrelevant musings, and this may just be a flash in the pan, but I find myself irrepressibly attached to this song from Mads Langer (Vampire Diaries).

Avocado Pear Soup with Beet Greens and Cauliflower

• 1 large onion, peeled and chopped
• 3 generous cups cauliflower florets
• 2 cups loosely packed beet greens, roughly chopped
• 2 avocados, peeled and roughly chopped
• 2 large ripe and juicy pears, cored skin left on and roughly chopped
• 3 1/2 cups (900 mL) chicken or vegetable stock
• Handful of parsley
• 1 tsp coarse black pepper
• Seasonings to taste

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In a large skillet set over medium-low heat, sautée onion in some olive oil until translucent (about 3 minutes).  Add cauliflower and pear to skillet, sautéing for another 5 minutes or so.  Add chicken or vegetable stock to skillet followed by beet greens and parsley, mixing ingredients to combine.  Allow mixture to come to a boil, reduce heat to simmer and cover - allowing fruit and vegetables to soften for approximately 12 minutes in the skillet.

Remove skillet from heat.  Working in batches, if necessary, add soup to blender along with avocado and blend until smooth.  It should have the consistency of purée - you can adjust the thickness by adding water or more stock as desired and season to taste.

The soup tastes best eaten freshly made.

Serve with a dollop of plain yogurt if you wish or on its own.

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Spotlight on Cauliflower:

Cauliflower, along with its other cruciferous friends (broccoli, cabbage, collard greens, kale, Brussels sprouts), is known for its high concentration of cancer-fighting chemicals called glucosinolates. Glucosinolates are broken down by bacteria in our digestive tract and transformed into bioactive compounds known as isothiocyanates and indole-3-carbinol.

Scientists are learning that these compounds help eliminate cancer-causing substances by regulating our body's detoxification enzymes (more liver support). A significant body of evidence suggests that a regular intake of cruciferous vegetables, helps guard against many types of cancer.

In addition to its cancer fighting properties, cauliflower is also a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, folate and fibre.