Leave it to my friend Paula to get me out of my hunker on a cold January morning, as only she can do, with an email entitled “This Sunday in the Tropics”, in which she proposed a walk at the New York Botanical Garden. “The weather is supposed to be clear and warm (25 degrees!). This the cheapest trip to the tropics ever! Can you feel the winter funk lifting?”
Well, Paula, lift it did. On snow covered trails,
that took us along the flowing Bronx River
through the Ornamental Conifer Grove
past a stand of redwoods
flowering crabapples,
and budding pussy willows carrying the promise of spring.
The bright snow provided a sharp contrast to the winter foliage
and while the ornamental gardens and conservatory beckoned
by 1 pm the sun had retreated,
as did I, home to a warm bowl of roast cauliflower soup.
ROAST CAULIFLOWER SOUP
This recipe, enlightened from one on Epicurious, is a great way to use leftover roast cauliflower. You can adjust the amount of chicken broth to the amount of cauliflower you have left. This recipe serves four.
- 1 head cauliflower
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 shallot
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups chicken broth (plus a little water if the soups seems too thick)
- 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
- Small bay leaf (or 1/2 large)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Croutons or sheep’s milk yogurt to garnish
Preheat oven to 425°F.
Cut cauliflower into 1-inch flowerets (about 5 cups). In a large baking pan toss cauliflower, garlic, and shallots with oil to coat and roast in middle of oven about 30 minutes, or until golden.
In a soup pot, simmer broth, water, roasted cauliflower mixture, and herbs 30 minutes, or until cauliflower is very tender. Remove the bay leaf. Puree in the pan using an immersion blender. Serve with croutons or a dollop of sheep’s milk yogurt.
What a lovely way to spend the day and a lovely soup to enjoy upon returning home. The New York Botanical Gardens are such a treasure. My favorite exhibit, by far, is the orchid show.
I wish I had had time to visit the tropical garden on Sunday,but had too much work to do! Next visit..
Lovely photos–I was out there last month. What a spectacular place.
Love it there all seasons. One of my fave visits was for a summer evening concert with Peter Yarrow.
A terrific post, Margaret, with beautiful photos recording what looked like an invigorating, fun day. Getting outdoors, especially in winter, can really lift the spirits. (Given the title, though, I was expecting at least a few tropical photos from inside the greenhouse—perhaps for a future post?) Whenever I visit New York, it’s usually for such brief periods that I can’t make myself leave Manhattan. If I lived there, I would love exploring all the boroughs.
Terry –
Than ks for your comment, and for introducing yourself and your wonderful blog! Have added it to my blogroll – great site.
Peggy
NYBG – very good idea. Beautiful. Now that we live close to the 125th Metro North line, it’s quick and easy.