COLD weather calls for some warming soup and  this recipe is an easy  dish to prepare. 

Everything can be made  in advance and it is slightly  restaurant-esque so would also be  good for a dinner party.

And don't forget the cauliflower  makes one of your five a day!

Cauliflower soup

Serves four people

Ingredients: 1 large cauliflower; 125 g of butter; 4 rashers of smokey bacon; 100 grams of blue cheese

Method: Remove the outer leaves of the cauliflower and chop into large chunks.

Melt butter in a thick bottomed pan,  add cauliflower and cover with a lid.

Keep on a low heat until cauliflower is  tender. 

Just cover with cold water and simmer  until cauliflower is soft (overcooked).

Slice bacon into small slithers and fry  in very little vegetable oil until really  crispy.

Once bacon is crispy, place on some  absorbent paper.

Blend soup with hand blender and  taste.

Add an extra  knob of butter whilst  blending to create a velvet texture.

Check seasoning and pour into a bowl.

Sprinkle bacon on top followed by as  much crumbled blue cheese as you  like.

* Masterchef winner Claire Lara  is co owner and joint head chef of  the Riverhill Hotel, Oxton