Creamy Broccoli and Red Potato Soup

Creamy Broccoli and Red Potato Soup

Total cook time - 35 mins

                            Serves - 4

Ingredients

-3 tbsp Unsalted butter (you can sub vegan butter)

-1 Small onion , finely chopped

-2 Garlic cloves , minced

-4 tsp Corn Starch

-3 cups Milk (you can use real milk or unsweetened cashew milk)

-1 cup Gluten Free vegetable broth

-1 cup water

-1.6 lb Red skin Potato , peeled and cut into 1.25 / 1/2" cubes

-5 cups Broccoli florets (bite size) (about 1 large broccoli

-1 + cups Grated cheese , cheddar or Daiya meltable vegan cheese

Garnish, optional

Shallots/scallions , finely sliced

Grated cheese

Instructions

Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cook for 5 minutes or until softened.

Cook for 30 seconds.

Add about 1 cup of milk and stir quickly, it will thicken quickly. Add remaining milk gradually, whisking as you go.

Add broth, water and potato. Bring to simmer, and cook for 12 - 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until potato is just cooked. If the soup gets too thick, add more broth (or water) - depends how rapidly you are simmering.

Then mix together 4 teaspoons of cornstarch / cornflour and a splash of water to make a slurry.  This will thicken the soup.

Add broccoli and stir. Cook for 2 minutes, then take the pot off the stove.

Stir through cheese (I use 1 cup). Adjust salt and pepper to taste.

Ladle into bowls and top with garnishes of choice.

Pairing Wine and Canabis in Napa Valley

I often describe myself as a "Cannabis Sommelier", because I talk about the flavors, smells and lineage of Marijuana strains the way most people talk about wine.

•

In February I hosted #HighOnTheVine in #Napa, where I merged my experience behind the bar with my Cannabis knowledge, to pair the flavors in locally made wines with the Terpenes of locally grown cannabis.

This event in Napa was a fun way to showcase my knowledge, serve some delicious vegan food, and talk about cannabis in a way that I haven't really seen before.

•

Pictured is a photo taken by @AlexKnowbody of ☆Elyse Wineries C'est si Bon

•

This medium bodied Red is well balanced with soft tannins and low acidity. The flavor depth of this wine paired so well with a Napa grown Purple Urkle, which has berry, grape and musky Myrcene notes.

When Sommeliers describe wine flavor you will often hear terms like "Mossy", or "Forest Floor", which would be how I describe the terpene Myrcene.

C'est Si Bon is a blend of varietals that are found in the south of France and in the Sierra foothills of Northern California, the perfect accompaniment to a Napa grown #PurpleUrkle, a phenotype (or varietal) of a locally hybridized Mendocino Purp.

Notes of herbes de provence, clove, berry, earth and spice of this wine, paired so well with the sweet and spicy Strain flavor. Both really shined when served with the basil, oregano and herbaceous notes of our main course, a Vegan pasta and fresh roasted tomato sauce with an Oyster Mushroom Parmesan, and fresh cracked cannabis flower on top.

Making comparisons like this, and using food as a learning tool helps make Cannabis more comprehensive for my guests.

•

If you learn best over dinner and cocktails, I offer a variety of pairing and educational packages where I create an entire immersive learning and dining experience.

If you want to hire me for private catering and education, email me for pricing and availability.

Livviesmallsevents@gmail.com