Here is a creamy cauliflower soup with the added pizzaz of Korean chili paste and coconut milk. A delicious creamy soup that has a little kick.
What is Gochujang chili paste?
Gochujang chili paste is a Korean chili paste that has become insanely popular lately and I had to check it out especially given all the hype. I even read that Trader Joe’s started carrying it.
Gochujang is basically a chili paste made with a chili called gochu garu and a blend of spices and get this – it also has glutinous rice! The rice gives the paste its slightly sticky texture and sweet flavor. This paste is very unique in that it is fermented.
A savory, sweet, spicy, tangy chili paste that is hard to describe until you try it. Try using this unique chili paste in any of your dishes.
About the recipe
For my first foray into using gochujang I added it in a cauliflower soup. I made cauliflower soup with ginger, garlic, and gochujang paste. Then for extra creaminess added coconut milk. The result is a delicious mildly spiced creamy cauliflower soup. Think Asian flavors with a little heat. And now for the recipe.
Cauliflower Coconut Soup with Korean Gochujang Chili Paste
Ingredients:
1 head of cauliflower cut into small florets
4 cloves garlic minced
2 inch piece of ginger finely grated
5 cups water or vegetable broth
Salt
Olive oil
2 tbsp gochujang chili paste (or start with 1 tbsp and increase it to your heat level)
1 can coconut milk
Fresh cilantro and paprika for garnish
Directions:
In a large pot warm 2 tbsp olive oil. Add the garlic and ginger and shallow fry for a few seconds then add the cauliflower and 1 tsp salt. Cook the cauliflower until tender – about 10 minutes.
Add the water or broth and bring to a boil. Turn the stove off. Blend the soup until smooth and creamy – be careful as the soup is hot! Place back on the stove. Add coconut milk, cilantro and gochujang paste and stir in. Bring to a low simmer. Taste and adjust for salt. Add more chili paste if you want it spicy.
Serve warm with garnish of paprika or chili oil.
Happy Sunday Soup Day 🥣!
Love gochujang! Our family has been using it for a long time! We’ve even incorporated it into cookies – NYT Cooking featured it recently and I must say, they were a hit! Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Wow ! I was just reading about Cauliflower as to how helpful it is in boosting Kidney Health with its anti oxidants and vitamins and minerals. I love to cook cauliflower with Onions , Garlic and Tomatoes . Did i mention Ginger ? Cauliflower Masala Curry prepared with Indian Garam Masala is a Good Digestive Aid becuse of its Fiber Content as well . My Gobhi Mussalam ( Roasted Cauliflower) is a Hot item during Thanksgiving .
Cauliflower can be a bit bland, so I love how you jazzed this up!
Thank you, the korean chili paste definitley adds a kick of flavor