Fauxtato Leek Soup

prep time: 5 minutes cook time: 25 minutes yield: 6 servings

Here’s a secret when you want to make faux-potato
anything using cauliflower: use the stem! When cut into
chunks, cauliflower stem resembles potatoes, and instead of
throwing out the core when you use the florets for another
recipe, you’ve put it to great use.

4 strips bacon, diced
½ cup chopped leeks
½ cup diced celery
2 cups cauliflower florets and chunked cauliflower
stem, about ½ inch in size
2 cups chicken bone broth, homemade (here) or store-
bought
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese (Kite Hill brand
cream cheese style spread if dairy-free), softened
½ teaspoon fish sauce (optional)
1½ teaspoons fine sea salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Avocado oil or extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Fresh thyme leaves, for garnish

1. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, fry the bacon