Creamiest Vegan Corn Chowder

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 ribs celery, finely chopped
• 3 carrots, finely chopped
• 4 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and finely diced
• 1 head cauliflower, cut into bite-size pieces
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 quarts vegetable broth
• 8 cups fresh corn kernels, divided
• 1 cup cashews
• 1/3 cup nutritional yeast
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat; cook and stir onion, celery, and carrots in the hot oil until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir potatoes, cauliflower, bay leaves, thyme, and oregano into vegetables; cook about 5 minutes more.

Pour vegetable broth and 6 cups corn kernels and into vegetable mixture and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until vegetables are tender, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove and discard bay leaves.

Place remaining 2 cups corn kernels, cashews, and nutritional yeast into a blender and add several large spoonfuls of simmering broth to blender. Work in batches if necessary, filling blender no more than half full per batch. Cover lid with a dish towel and hold lid down; pulse a few times before leaving on to blend until smooth. Stir cashew mixture into soup pot; season with salt and black pepper.