Mostly Cauliflower-Leek Soup- a recipie redux

When it is a rainy, chilly night, there is nothing more comforting then a warm bowl of soup.  I love potato-leek soup, but wanted to make a healthier, lower carb version. I took my regular potato-leek soup recipe and cut the potatoes down to two small yukon golds.  I replaced the rest of the potatoes with a head of cauliflower.  I omitted the cauliflower part from my husband when describing what I was making for dinner. I didn't tell him until after he'd eaten the soup that it was in fact, made mostly with cauliflower. He said he didn't know the difference.  It is still satisfying, creamy and delicious. Trust me, you don't miss the potatoes at all.

Potato Leek Soup w/ Artichoke Hearts

Ingredients
2 small to  medium sized Yukon Gold Potatoes,peeled and cubed
1 medium head of cauliflower, chopped into smaller florets
3 Leeks cleaned and chopped (use the white and the light green parts, loose the dark leaves, see this http://homecooking.about.com/od/howtocookvegetables/a/leekcleaning.htm to learn about how to clean leeks)
4 cloves of garlic, roughly chopped
1 can artichoke hearts, roughly chopped
1 container of chicken stock (or broth)
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 Tablespoons Mascarpone Cheese
2 tablespoons Olive or Canola Oil
Bacon (optional, I used turkey bacon to cut down on calories)
Salt & Pepper to taste
 

Directions:
1. Heat a large stock pot on medium. When the pan is hot, add 1 Tablespoon oil.
2.Chop the bacon into small pieces and saute in the pan until crispy.
3. Remove Bacon from the pan and add remaining oil. Add leeks to the pan and sweat the leeks (saute until just soft). Add garlic and saute for another 3 min.
4. Add potatoes, cauliflower and artichokes and saute for 5 min.
5. Add chicken broth, cover and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer. Cook until potatoes can be pierced easily a fork and cauliflower is soft. Remove from heat and puree the soup mixture.
7. Once pureed, add mascarpone cheese and blend again until the cheese is incorporated into the soup.
8. Serve soup, garnish with a dollop of mascarpone, bacon bits and chives (optional).
9. Enjoy!