This healthy cauliflower soup recipe gets its great flavor from two smoked ingredients: paprika and Gouda. A hearty serving of crunchy croutons makes it filling.

Cauliflower Soup with Smoked Gouda

Serves 4

Active Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

3 cups cubed whole-wheat bread (1/2-inch)

4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

3/4 teaspoon ground white pepper, divided

1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme plus 1 tablespoon, divided

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 large sweet onion, chopped

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons smoked paprika

1/4 cup dry white wine

1 head cauliflower (about 2 pounds), cored and chopped

4 cups low-sodium chicken broth or no-chicken broth, divided

2 teaspoons cornstarch

3/4 cup shredded smoked Gouda

1/4 cup heavy cream

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Toss bread in a bowl with 2 teaspoons oil, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1/2 teaspoon thyme and garlic powder. Spread on a baking sheet. Bake, stirring once, until crispy, 14 to 18 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 teaspoons oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and salt, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is very soft and barely starting to brown, 7 to 9 minutes. Sprinkle with paprika, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon white pepper and 1 tablespoon thyme; cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add wine, increase heat to high and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits.

Add cauliflower and 3 1/2 cups broth, cover and bring to a boil, stirring often. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer and cook until the cauliflower is very tender, 10 to 12 minutes.

Puree the soup in the pot with an immersion blender (or in batches in a regular blender and return to the pot). Combine the remaining 1/2 cup broth and cornstarch in a small bowl and stir into the soup. Return to a simmer over medium heat; simmer, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese and cream. Serve the soup topped with the croutons.

Recipe Nutrition: Per serving: 389 calories; 19 g fat (8 g sat, 8 g mono); 41 mg cholesterol; 38 g carbohydrate; 2 g added sugars; 10 g total sugars; 19 g protein; 7 g fiber; 614 mg sodium; 929 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (127percent daily value), Folate (32percent dv), Calcium (27percent dv)

2 1/2 Carbohydrate Serving(s)

Exchanges: 1 starch, 2 1/2 vegetable, 1/2 high fat meat, 2 fat

(EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at www.eatingwell.com.)