Fake Potato Soup

It's starting to get cold, and for me, cold weather triggers cravings for comfort foods like creamy potatoes, mac n cheese, apple pie---pretty much anything that I should not be eating is all that I want. Last week I was dying for some baked potato soup, so I did a little research and came up with a delicious and satisfying recipe.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6 bowls

Here's what you need for Fake Potato Soup:
Large head of cauliflower chopped
2-3 large leeks (cut into 1/2 inch-1 inch pieces and wash REALLY well)
6 cups of broth (I used chicken broth)
3 tablespoons of butter
2 tablespoons of olive oil 1/2 cup of almond milk
2 tablespoons of half & half (optional)
Garlic, chopped (I used about 10 or so cloves)
Rotisserie chicken (optional. I used rotisserie but you can also bake your own chicken or leave it out completely. I wanted to add in some protein for a more filling soup.)
**Optional toppings & garnishes: bacon, cheddar cheese, scallions or parsley.

Here's what you do:

Sautee the leeks and garlic in olive oil and butter for 8-10 minutes. Low to medium heat.

Add in the cauliflower and 6 cups of broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and let simmer for 30 minutes.

While your soup is simmering, fry up some bacon.

Have your assistant prepare the chicken.

Witness shark attack as the tine samples chicken.

-CAREFULLY pour soup into a mixing bowl and blend at a slow speed using a handmixer or immersion blender. -Transfer soup back to pot. -Add almond milk, half & half, generous amounts of salt and pepper, and the chicken. -Stir & serve.

Top with bacon pieces, cheddar cheese, and fresh parsley. We had ours with a salad.

The soup tasted like a mix between baked potato soup, and potato and leek soup. It was super tasty and there was enough for dinner again the next night and also a lunch. I'm making it again this week because I've been dying to have it again.

What do you crave around the holidays and when the weather starts to get cold?

Do you have any healthy alternatives to generally high fat/high carb meals?