Pears add an elegant touch to this creamy vegan soup, which uses charred leeks and cauliflower florets as base vegetables. Our friend Christina, who developed this recipe, shared some tricks while cooking for us in her Athenian kitchen. For a well-rounded taste, ensure your vegetables are well-covered in oil and spices before going in the oven. Proportions are important: we cite one small cauliflower and two pears among the ingredients, but to be more specific, volume-wise, the ratio is ⅓ pears versus ⅔ cauliflower. You want your pears to be ripe because that’s when they are more flavorful. Lastly, pay attention to the charring: you want your vegetables to be slightly browned but not burned.