Canadian
Porco Rosso Bacon-Cauliflower Chowder
A hearty bacon-and-cauliflower chowder inspired by the beloved Porco Rosso character. Bacon, onion, carrots, celery and cauliflower simmer in vegetable broth and milk until tender. It is warm, savoury and practical, which is more than can be said for attempting to land a seaplane beside the dinner table.
What It Is
This is a creamy vegetable chowder built from crisp bacon, aromatics, cauliflower, broth and milk. Coconut flour helps give the soup body while thyme provides the main herb note.
Origin
The recipe is a Dinner by the Minute creation inspired by Porco Rosso. The dish itself is not a canonical food from the film, so it is treated as a real-world inspired recipe rather than fictional food.
Fun Fact
Cauliflower is part of the Brassica family, alongside broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts. Its mild flavour makes it particularly useful in creamy soups because it happily absorbs whatever else is going on.
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon, diced
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots
- 2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsp coconut flour
- 2 sprigs thyme
- 1 cauliflower, cut into florets
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup 3% whole milk
- Optional: rosemary, sage or basil instead of thyme
Steps
- Dice the bacon and onion and slice the carrots and celery.
- Cook bacon in a large pot over medium heat until crisp. Transfer bacon to paper towel and leave about 2 tbsp fat in the pot.
- Add onion, carrots and celery. Season with salt and pepper and cook about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Sprinkle in coconut flour and cook 2 minutes.
- Add thyme and cauliflower, then pour in broth and milk.
- Bring to a low boil, immediately reduce to a simmer and cook about 15 minutes, until cauliflower is fork-tender.
- Garnish with the crisp bacon and chives if desired.
Notes
The source describes this as Porco Rosso-inspired but lists real-world European origins. It is therefore not checked as a fictional-food recipe.
Substitutions
Use rosemary, sage or basil instead of thyme as suggested in the source. Turkey bacon can replace pork bacon. Dairy-free milk can replace whole milk. The source suggests psyllium husk instead of coconut flour, though use only enough to thicken because psyllium is extremely enthusiastic.
Storage
Refrigerate in a covered container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently over medium-low heat.
Freezing
Freeze for up to 2 months in airtight portions. Dairy may separate slightly after thawing, so stir well while reheating.