Broccoli Cheese Soup

 

Broccoli Cheese soup 

Craving a delicious homemade meal? Look no further than my mouthwatering Broccoli Cheddar Soup!

 It's the ultimate comfort food that will have your taste buds singing with joy.

 Perfect for cozy nights in or impressing your guests at your next dinner party, this recipe is a winner.

 Plus, it's super easy to make with just a few simple ingredients you likely already have on hand.

Get ready to whip up a flavorful pot of Broccoli Cheddar Soup that will leave you wanting more. The secret? The perfect combination of spices that will elevate your soup game to the next level!

 

Ingredients

 

7 tablespoons unsalted butter, separated

½ tablespoon olive oil

1 small yellow onion, diced (1 cup)

2 small cloves garlic, minced

¾ teaspoon smoked paprika

3/4 teaspoon ground mustard

1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

Fine sea salt and pepper

6 tablespoons white flour

32 ounces chicken stock (or broth) (use vegetable stock for a vegetarian version)

3 cups half-and-half

1 bay leaf

6 cups chopped broccoli (~4 large crowns)

2 cups shredded carrots

12 ounces of cheddar cheese extra-sharp (Don't use pre-shredded -- it doesn't melt well in this soup.)

 

Optional: homemade crusty bread or bread bowls, especially the sourdough bread bowls are great for this soup.

 

Instructions

 In a Dutch oven or soup pot, sauté onions and garlic in butter for a flavorful base. Add in spices like paprika and cayenne pepper for an extra kick. Don't forget the secret ingredient - mustard!

Create a roux by whisking flour into melted butter, then gradually add in chicken stock and half-and-half for a creamy texture. Let it simmer with bay leaf until thickened. Remove the bay leaf and discard. Toss in chopped broccoli and carrots, and simmer until tender. Add in shredded cheese and let it melt into gooey perfection.

Serve in bread bowls or regular bowls with a side of bread for dipping. Trust us, this soup is a game-changer! Enjoy!

 

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Author of 5 books and a Graduate with an Associate of Arts from Pheonix University in Business Management, then a degree in Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Phoenix University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology, her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. In her spare time, Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, pen and ink, Gouache, and pastels. As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 6 blogs that range from art to life coaching, to food, to writing, and opinion or history pieces each week.