Hot Potato & Cauliflower Soup

This thick, creamy soup, with chunks of soft potato, tender cauliflower, zesty green onion, and Parmesan cheese makes a hot, satisfying meal any day of the week. A dollop of cream cheese gives it a lush texture and smooth, creamy flavor. 
This recipe makes a large pot of soup, so you may cut the recipe, if needed.

Ingredients:

• 1 head of cauliflower
• 5 small potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 onion, chopped

• 2 stalks green onion, sliced

• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 10 cups of water
• Instant mashed potato mix (feel free to use flavored, like sour cream and chive!)
• 2-3 Tbsp. cream cheese

• 3-4 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese
• 1 Tbsp. chopped dill
• Salt (you can use onion or garlic salt, as well) and pepper, to taste

In a large pot, heat olive oil and sauté onion until soft.  Add the water, potatoes, and cauliflower and simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until vegetables are fork tender. With a potato masher, mash the cauliflower and potatoes until chunky, but well-combined. Add a little of the mashed potato mix until the soup is thickened to your desired consistency. Ladle some soup into a small bowl and add the cream cheese.  Whisk with a fork until the cream cheese is melted and there are no lumps, then transfer back into the pot and stir in.  Stir in the green onion, Parmesan, dill, salt, and pepper.  Start with a just a little salt and pepper, then work your way up until the soup is to your desired taste.