Thursday, December 16, 2010

Broccoli-Cheese Soup

My picky one is addicted to Panera Bread's Broccoli Cheese Soup. and their Mac n Cheese! I've given up on duplicating the Mac n Cheese because I am just challenged when it comes to anything other than the blue box kind. Good thing they love that, too, because I just can't get mac n cheese right. The third time was not a charm! And believe me, I've tried. See here, the pic of my Mac n Cement Cheese, so bad!

So Panera and just about any other homemade Mac and Cheese is out for now, but Broccoli soup is another story! Did great with that! Made it once before and it was really good, so when I saw Mary's recipe from One Perfect Bite, I knew I had to try it, too! And I'm glad I did! All I did was add a little nutmeg and some cayenne pepper to suit our tastes! We loved it!





Broccoli and Cheddar Soup
Source: Mary @ One Perfect Bite
adapted by There's Always Thyme to Cook
Printable Recipe

1 pound of fresh broccoli florets
4 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup finely chopped carrot
2/3 cup finely chopped onion
6 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup flour
3 cups whole milk
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
8 ounces Colby cheese, shredded
4 ounces sharp Cheddar, shredded
(I used Monterey Jack and Cheddar, low fat milk, and added a bit of cayenne pepper and a dash of nutmeg)

Melt butter in a large saucepan set over over medium heat. Add onions and carrots and saute for 5-6 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.

Add 2 cups chicken broth to pan and heat until boiling. Add broccoli and cook, covered, until broccoli is tender, about 5 to 6 minutes. Using a spoon, break broccoli into small pieces. Reduce heat to low. Add remaining 4 cups chicken broth to pot.

Mix flour and milk in a small bowl and whisk until smooth. Add mixture to pot. Add garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking over low heat until soup thickens, about 5-6 minutes.

Add cheese, handfuls at a time, and stir constantly over low heat until smooth and creamy - about 10 minutes. If soup becomes too thick, add additional chicken stock. Do not let soup boil. Serve hot.


I'm joining Suzy over at Kitchen Bouquet for another Flashback Friday!


Flashing back to another recipe for broccoli soup, this one I had posted from Martha Stewart, Cream of Broccoli Soup!

19 comments:

  1. I haven't been overly impressed with my last attempts at Broccoli Cheese soup so I'll have to try this!

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  2. That's two recipes in as many days that add carrots. Definitely going to try that. I use cayenne too.

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  3. wow :) I've tried brocolli soup but not with cheese. Such a yummy-licious blog. happy holidays.

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  4. I love broccoli cheese soup. This looks just perfect for a cold winter evening.

    I have resisted Panera's Mac n Cheese but now I think I need to try it.

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  5. Panera's Broccoli soup is delicious. This one, I'm sure is a lot less expensive per cup. Will give it a try at Christmas break.

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  6. At least you have the veggies in it. I am a huge soup lover. Sounds and looks really tasty.

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  7. My not-so-picky husband loves Panera's broccoli cheese soup! I've resisted making it because I figured it was loaded with calories (that folks our age don't need - LOL). I'd love to try this with skim milk and maybe a little less cheese. I love the pound of broccoli in it.

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  8. Broccoli cheese soup always sounds good to me whenever I go to a restaurant but I haven't made it at home! This looks delicious!

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  9. Hubby has been in the mood of broccoli lately and I was running out of recipes for him. You're a life saver! I love this soup. Looks so delicious and yummy.

    Have a great weekend.

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  10. I wonder what my picky son would say if I served him this delicious soup? Do you think I have hopes or not?

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  11. Katerina, your son loved blue cheese, so to me, you have hope :)

    Thanks for the comments! Have a great weekend!

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  12. That is my favorite soup!!! I had some at Quizno's last night but it pales next to Panera's version, so I'm going to try your recipe! Thank you!

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  13. Lots of broccoli & cheese, yum! A warm bowl on a chilly day would taste so good. We like broccoli here.

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  14. I love Panera's Broccoli and cheese soup! I bet this was 10x better than that though!

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  15. I only wish my husband would love broccoli...the soup looks comforting and delicious.

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  16. Mary's recipes are marvelous, aren't they? And this is no exception. It looks lovely, comforting and warming!

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  17. Looks good. I make it, and even though I don't like broc, I eat this! No nutmeg though!

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  18. I will give this a try soon. We love soups! Maybe even tonight..... Thanks for joining me this week!

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  19. Looks delicious...I don't like my soup too thick and your recipe looks just perfect!
    Kathryn

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