Indulge in creamy leek and cauliflower soup

If you’re looking for a new dish to impress your friends and family, look no further than leek and cauliflower soup, elevated by gorgonzola and caramelised walnuts.

This dish pairs well with Spier’s 21 Gables Chenin Blanc. Boasting notes of ripe peach and pear fruit, these aromas play off the leek and cauliflower. At the same time, the notes of lemon rind and coriander spice complement the gorgonzola.

Ingredients

• 100 g butter
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 600 g leeks, finely sliced (use only the white and light green parts)
• 500 ml warm chicken stock (or vegetable stock)
• 1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into small florets (or 2-3 large potatoes, peeled and coarsely grated)
• 250 ml fresh cream
• 100 g gorgonzola or blue cheese, crumbled (plus extra for topping, optionally)
• salt and pepper to taste
• 100 g walnuts
• 30 ml butter
• ¼ cup white sugar

Method

1. Melt the butter over medium heat in a medium-sized pot on the stovetop.
2. Add the onion, leeks, and fry while stirring often, slowly softening the vegetables without browning them. This will take about 10-15 minutes.
3. Add the stock and cauliflower and bring to a simmer. Cook for 10-15 minutes over low heat until the cauliflower is tender and cooked, then remove from the heat.
4. Transfer the mixture to a large blender, add the cream and blue cheese, cover and blend to a very smooth texture (add a little more hot water if your soup is too thick).
5. Season with salt & pepper and mix well. Return to the heat right before serving without letting it boil.
6. Serve hot, topped with more crumbled cheese (optionally) and caramelised walnuts (see below).

For the caramelised walnuts:

1. Prepare a baking sheet with non-stick baking paper and set it aside.
2. Place the walnuts, butter and sugar in a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Stir now and then until the butter and sugar start to form a melted caramel (no granules remaining), stirring to coat the nuts on all sides – don’t let it get too dark.
3. Remove from the heat immediately and scrape into the prepared baking sheet, spreading out the nuts swiftly before the caramel hardens.
4. Leave to cool, then chop roughly and serve some on the soup.

About 21 Gables

Named in honour of our Spier farm’s 21 architecturally significant gables, these single varieties express the conditions of each vintage and specific nuances of terroir. The cornerstone of our selection features a barrel-fermented and matured Chenin Blanc and Pinotage: two pivotal varieties in South Africa’s rich wine history.