Happy New Year! Hope everyone had a great one. I’m just getting back into the swing of things, as I had two weeks off work. I spent most of the break at home with my family, then flew up to San Francisco for New Year’s Eve weekend.
Unfortunately, I caught that nasty cold going around, so I’m relying on comfort foods, Emergen-C and lots of rest to get better. Though I’m not fully recovered, this soup definitely helped a bit. Here’s to hoping none of you catch this cold!
Grammy. :)
Union Square in San Francisco with friends.
Recipe:
2-3 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 sweet onion, finely diced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (1 lb.) package frozen broccoli florets
1 (14 oz.) can chicken broth
1/4 cup water
2 tbsp. flour
1 cup half-and-half
1 1/2-2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
Place broccoli in microwave safe dish, and cook according to package instructions. Microwave broccoli until fork tender.
Heat a large saucepan, then add olive oil. Add onion and garlic and saute until translucent and aromatic. Add flour to pan and quickly stir until flour is cooked and incorporated; add broth, 1/4 cup water and half of the broccoli florets.
Transfer mixture to a food processor and blend about 10-15 seconds. Return mixture to pan and bring to a boil. Cook for 3-5 minutes, to let mixture thicken.
Decrease heat and add the rest of the broccoli, half and half and shredded cheese. Stir until cheese melts. Season with salt and pepper. Add crushed red pepper flakes, if desired. Top soup with shredded cheese of choice.
Loving soup this winter, I have made more already than any other year! This looks creamy and delicious!
Now that’s a bowl of comfort! Cheesy, veggie love in a bowl! I have to share this with my daughter as she loves broccolli soup – always ordering it out and will be thrilled to see an easy, quick recipe! Hope you feel better soon Caroline. Happy New Year!
Oh man that looks cheesy and good. I hope you feel better soon! Soup is wonderful when you’re feeling under the weather…and tea :)
Cheesy is good for you ;-))
Hope you feel better soon!
Happy 2013 Caroline! I’ve been fighting off a cold myself — this soup looks like a great way to get on track. I love that you blend everything together. The consistency looks great. Also like the sprinkle of cheese on top. Feel better!
What an excellent comfort-food soup! :) Cheesy and luscious…I am so trying this when I am allowed to cook with half and half again (trying to start my year a little lighter…always a losing battle…no pun intended). Hey, I read your comment on Linda’s blog, if you are ever interested in getting together to try making cheese, I am IN. I haven’t been brave enough to try it either. My kitchen is always open. Hope you feel better soon!
I’m clearly failing at starting the new year off on a healthier note :( haha. And YES, I would absolutely love to do that, that would be so much fun!
Back on track for sure! I love the idea of this soup. Its like broc and cheese casserole in soup form! LOVE
This bug sure does travel! Sorry it reached you, too. The way I look at it, we got it out of the way and should have be cold/flu-free for the entire year.
I bet a bowl of this soup sure did help you. It sounds delicious, Caroline.
I hope you’re feeling better.
Cheddar Broccoli is on my to-do list for sure :)
Happy New Year Caroline and I know how you felt with that cold. Had it myself…though i could have used some of this soup to heal me!
mmmm.
comfort food to the MAX. Xx
I can see where you get your good looks, Caroline! Grammy is a cutie!
Geez, Caroline. It’s about time you got back. No consideration for your hungry readers! OK, because this looks so good and you clearly were having fun, all is forgiven.:)
Hopefully this delicious looking soup got you back on the healthy track!