Jen's Broccoli Cheddar Cheese Soup

I just whipped up a so-delicous broccoli cheddar cheese soup, so I thought I would share it!

Broccoli Cheddar Cheese Soup

 
I started by melting 3-4 T of butter, add a tablespoon, or so, of flour, cook on low for a minute, add approximately 2 cups of whole milk, on medium high, stirring occasionally until thickened.  Add a dash of nutmeg, dry mustard, and salt & pepper.  Then dump in as much shredded cheddar cheese as you like (I also had a mix of italian cheese that I added).  Stir until all mixed.  I then added about 2 cups of chicken broth to that mixture.

This actually should be stop one! Take a head of broccoli and chop it up (I use some of the stalk too), next time I will chop mine a bit smaller.  Boil, then put a lid on it and take it off the heat (I don't like to overcook the broccoli).  Let that sit for about 5 minutes.  Then take a cup or so of the cooked broccoli, add to the blender with (okay I am going crazy with my font-not on purpose), with about a cup of chicken broth and blend.  Add that to the cheese mixture, and add the rest of the cooked broccoli.  Taste test to see if it needs more salt & pepper.  It's quick and easy and delicious! Did I mention it is not fattening at all!!?  No, I did not, because that would be lying!  I guess I should have worked out more than an hour this morning!

Enjoy!

Jen

Happy Valentine's Day!

I can't remember what font Katherine told me to use, but anyways, Happy Valentine's Day!

I picked out some things (from Etsy) I personally would love to receive (hint hint).  Here are just of my favorite things.

cute heart bowls

 

 

Subtle bling

lovely scarf

 

I love charm bracelets!

What's for lunch!

I love cooking - and eating!

Fresh and crispy broccoli salad

 

 

 I chopped broccoli into tiny pieces, along with chives, radishes, red onion, celery, and carrots.  I topped mine with bit of ranch dressing, but you can be healthier and just add a bit of olive oil and one of your favorite vinegars!

Potato soup and more

 If you read my blog (well thank you very much-I love you!), you know I love to make soup, and most of them are made the same way, just different ingredients, depending on what I have in the kitchen that day.  This was started with a bit of olive oil and butter, some red onion and chopped red potatoes (chop them small enough that they won't take forever to cook).

I also added diced carrots and celery.  I still had a ton of broccoli left, so after I had cooked the other ingredients for awhile, I tossed in the broccoli.  I cooked that a bit longer, and then added yummy baby portabella mushrooms, and just cooked about 5 more minutes.  Season as you go along, salt, pepper, italian seasoning, garlic salt, red pepper flakes, thyme.

I added some chicken broth, but you could also use veggie broth.  For some protein I added garbanzo beans, and I also added elbow noodles.

For the finishing touch, why not a bit of heavy cream!?  It sweetens it up and makes it creamy (you just need about 1/4 cup).  Oh, I also added chives when everything was cooked, for some color and freshness.

That's it!  Try it, it is delicious!

Jen