Cauliflower Soup with Stilton and Caramelized Pear Relish - Edible Santa Barbara and Wine Country

Ingredients

• Olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 medium onion (peeled and finely chopped)
• 2 shallots (peeled and finely chopped)
• 4 springs thyme
• 1 head cauliflower (leaves trimmed away and florets separated)
• 1 bay leaf
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 3 tablespoons apple cider
• 4 cups vegetable stock (or chicken stock)
• Salt and pepper
• 4 ounces Stilton cheese
• 2 tablespoons crème fraîche
• 1 pinch saffron
• ¼ cup golden raisins (and/or dried cranberries)
• 2 pears (cored, peeled and chopped)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 sprigs lemon thyme
• 1 cinnamon stick
• Coarse sea salt
• Black pepper