Soup's On!

Here's a new family favorite from the Gang's house. I made it last week, modifying it from a recipe that used broccoli and cauliflower that Li'l Sis made for a recent family birthday dinner. My little Gang members don't all love cauliflower, and the original soup was a bit too heavy and creamy for my preference (DELISH for special occasions, but not for regular weeknight dinners), so I played around a bit. I think you will like it. Dr. Doolittle had 4 bowls and called "dibs" on the left-overs, and even The Boss had seconds. (His mid-life crisis has come in the form of a boycott of all veggies green!) It was especially yummy paired with some hearty whole grain rolls I had in the freezer for just such an occasion.

Broccoli Soup

2 (10 oz.) boxes frozen, chopped broccoli – thawed slightly
1 small onion, chopped
1 ½ - 2 cups chopped carrots
1 – 2 minced cloves of garlic
2 – 3 Tbsp. olive oil
2 cans (14 oz.) fat free chicken broth
2 Tbsp. flour
2-3 Tbsp. butter
salt and pepper to taste
1 (8 oz.) block light cheddar cheese, cubed
1 (8 oz.) block light Velveeta, cubed
4 cups 1% milk
2-3 cups cooked chicken, chopped - optional
1 cup shredded cheddar – optional (reserved till end of recipe)

• In a large soup pot, sauté the broccoli, onions, carrots, and garlic in olive oil. Once softened, reduce heat and add chicken broth.
• Meanwhile, in saucepan, make a roux of the flour, butter and salt and pepper on medium to low heat. Slowly add milk, whisk till it is lump free and starts to thicken. Add cubed cheeses and stir frequently over low heat till cheeses melt and sauce is very thick.
• Pour all cheese sauce into the soup pot of veggies and broth. (If adding chicken, do so now.) Mix well and allow to simmer on low at least an hour before serving. If you desire a thicker soup, add the shredded cheese about 10 minutes before serving and stir well.

Today's a great day for a thick, hearty soup: we're getting our first "real" sticking snow here - up to 1" or so in our community. Enjoy the recipe and let me know what you think when you try it!