Creamy Cauliflower-Garlic Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 head garlic, unpeeled (2 1/2 oz.)
1 tablespoon butter
3 heads cauliflower (about 4 1/2 lbs. total)
2 quarts low-fat chicken broth
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
salt, to taste
fresh ground pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh chives

Preparation

With a sharp knife, cut top 1/2 off garlic head (off the pointy part of the head). Set garlic on a sheet of foil and top with butter. Gather sides of foil up and pinch together to form a loose, sealed pouch.
Bake garlic in a 400\u00b0 oven until garlic is soft when pressed, 45 to 50 minutes. Unwrap and let stand until cool enough to handle.
Meanwhile, cut cauliflower heads into 1-inch florets, discard leaves and stems. In a 4 to 5-quart pan, combine cauliflower and broth. Cover, bring to a simmer over high heat, then reduce heat and simmer until cauliflower is very tender when pierced, 12 to 15 minutes.
Squeeze garlic cloves from papery skins into pan with cauliflower and broth; pour in cream. Working in batches, transfer to a blender and whirl until smooth (I use an immersion blender at this point). Return soup to pan and add the nutmeg and salt and pepper to taste.
Set pan over medium-low heat and stir occasionally until hot. Pour into a large bowl or tureen and sprinkle with chives.