A sensational starter! - Cold Cauliflower and Sesame soup, with Caviar

This is a highly unusual but an amazing starter - perfect for a hot summer's day! This really wow's your guests - and the best bit is it's very easy to make!

Ingredients (for 6)

1 Cauliflower
4 shallots, finely chopped
high quality cooking oil - grapeseed preferably
1 litre of homemade chicken stock (vegetable stock for vegetarians)
180 ml pouring cream
Sesame oil
salt and white pepper
small quantity of lightly whipped double cream
6 teaspoons of Caviar (finest that budget allows)

Instructions:

Break the cauliflower into florets and set aside. Now sweat the shallots gently in the oil, being careful not to colour in any way.

Add the cauliflower florets and chicken stock, and bring slowly to the boil. Once the boil is reached, lower heat and cook for approximately 5 minutes until the cauliflower is tender.

Transfer into a bowl and chill over ice (to stop the caulifower continuing to cook). Blend the mixture in batches and then puree to a very fine consistency (no lumps!).

Now add the cream, and stir to mix thoroughly.Pour into chilled bowls.

Now for the interesting bit flavour-wise. I love to add 2 drops of sesame oil per serving. The combination of the sesame and cauliflower is quite delicious. Further season with a little salt and white pepper.

Finally spoon a little whipped cream into the centre and top with caviar. Serve immediately! Excellent served with a full bodied Chardonnay!