Share a Bowl of Sympathy
September 16, 2004

This summer was tinged with a series of sad events for friends- a stroke, a bicycle accident, a parent’s death. .. I often found myself wondering what I could do to convey love and concern without intruding on tragedy. After trying out a million elaborate dinner ideas in my head, and then never doing a thing about it, I finally hit upon a simple gesture that I will use forever- it is heartfelt, appreciated, and easy to do for anyone you care about. A container of homemade soup, a batch of chocolate chip cookies, and a loaf of bread from a local bakery is a true godsend during times of woe.

This soup’s base is a thick, dairy-free, cauliflower-potato puree that can be made into an endless menu of favorite soups. When choosing the add-in ingredients I calculate “the finicky factor”, considering the ages of any children who may be eating the soup. The same principle goes for the cookie recipe: keep it simple.

A nice vegetarian version combines onions, mushrooms, zucchini, chopped tomato, white beans and rosemary. For a heartier soup, add bacon, or bits of pork or chicken. Make delivery really simple for everyone by purchasing one-quart disposable containers from the deli. On the scale of things, this meal may not help very much- but it sure can’t hurt, either.

Creamy Cauliflower Soup Base
- 7 cups water or chicken stock
- 1 head of cauliflower, tough center removed, chopped
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, sliced
- 1 medium onion, chopped

In a soup pot combine ingredients and simmer uncovered for 40 minutes. Cool slightly and then puree broth in batches. (If you prefer a chunkier version, do not puree 1-2 cups of the broth.) Season with 1 Tablespoon of kosher salt and one-half teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Add additional ingredients, herbs or seasonings. Makes 2-plus quarts of soup. To thin soup that is too thick, add a bit of water or milk. Freezes well.

Kim Dannies is a graduate of La Varenne Cooking School in France. She lives in Williston, VT with her husband, Jeff, and three college–aged daughters who come and go. ©2008