Family Chow Hall

Cheesy Broccoli Soup

April 25th, 2006

Just a quick post today… I’m making myself a bit of cheesy broccoli soup for lunch with leftovers from last night, and thought I’d share with you.

We have leftover broccoli, which is not unusual — when you make a good dinner who wants to eat broccoli? I don’t have much hope that my dear children are going to fight over who gets to eat it for lunch.

The list of health benefits that broccoli brings you is enough to make anyone a fan, from cancer prevention and cardiovascular health to ulcer protection and stronger bones. Check out the World’s Healthiest Foods website.

So, instead of force-feeding this leftover broccoli to my youngsters, I will make a little white sauce, add a few more chopped veggies, and have myself a delicious bowl of cheesy broccoli soup for lunch.

If you aren’t lucky enough to have pre-cooked broccoli in your fridge, just boil some frozen broccoli or chop a little off of a fresh crown of the stuff.

Cheesy Broccoli Soup
makes enough for 2 or 3 bowls

1 c. or so of leftover or already cooked broccoli
1/4 c. chopped celery
1/4 c. chopped carrots
1/4 c. chopped onion
1-2 T. butter
1 T. flour
1 c. milk
2 slices American cheese
dash of pepper
(no need for salt — there’s plenty of sodium in the cheese)

First of all, the broccoli is already cooked and soft, so set it aside - you don’t have to do anything with it yet. Start by sauteing your other vegetables in butter until they are soft. You can save yourself from washing one dish by doing this right in the saucepan that you will prepare the soup in - no need to dirty a skillet unless you are some sort of sicko that actually likes washing dishes. To the soft vegetables and butter, add the flour and stir - it will make a paste. Next, SLOWLY add the milk, stirring as you go. At first this will seem to get thicker and will be very pasty and you’ll wonder if you have any nail holes in your wall to fill with it. Keep adding milk and it will turn into a lovely cream base for your soup. You can add less or more milk to your liking, but NEVER go back and add more flour, you are just begging for lumps. Finally, you can add the broccoli and cheese, and heat until the cheese is melted. Ta-Da! A delicious, homemade soup that will satisfy you without dangerously expanding your waistline.

Entry Filed under: Leftovers, Recipes, Side Dishes, Soup, Supper