Simple, quick and delicious - my favourite sort of recipe!
And especially on a rainy grey day, I love the sort of soothing-ness that comes from creamy coconut matched with a little spice, and the cauliflower is the perfect texture - soft but with a little bite.
I used chicken stock and some cooked chicken, but it's a lovely vegetarian/vegan recipe made with vegetable stock and mushrooms instead.
For two bowls, you'll need
1 small head of cauliflower, chopped into florets
a big handful of mushrooms, cleaned and sliced and/or some cooked chicken, cut into small pieces
300ml stock - I used half a Knorr chicken stock cube, but vegetable is good too
200ml (half a tin) coconut milk
1 garlic clove, squashed and finely chopped (you can leave this out though, I think I might try it without next time I make it)
1 couple of lime leaves, crumpled and torn to release the scent would be perfect - but I didn't have any so used the zest of one lime
a piece of ginger, probably an inch or so, peeled and grated
If you have a stalk of lemongrass (I didn't), add it! Just remove the outer tough layers, give it a bash with a rolling pin and throw it in
2 tablespoons light soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1-2 red bird eye chillies, quantity to your own taste, sliced
the juice of half a lime
coriander leaves to serve (if liked)
Prepare the vegetables and chicken (if using) so they're ready to add later.
Then put the stock, coconut milk, garlic (if using), lime leaves or lime zest, ginger, lemongrass (if using), soy sauce and sugar plus the cauliflower, mushrooms and/or chicken into a saucepan and gently heat to bring to the boil.
Simmer for 5-10 minutes until the cauliflower is soft but a little al dente (definitely not mush!) and remove from heat.
Stir in the chillies and lime juice and serve with coriander, if liked - I wish I'd had some as think it would have looked prettier with some greenery on there!
Oh, you could remove any lime leaves and lemongrass before serving if you want - or just take them out when you come to them in the bowl ...
So simple and so good.