Broccoli Soup

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Broccoli soup is a hearty, cold-weather soup that is very adaptable to what you have on hand in the kitchen or wish to use. The ingredients listed below are just the basics and lend themselves to any combination of quantity, seasonings and additions. I, for one, make my broccoli soup with potatoes but you certainly don't need to. And I like lots of garlic.
Serve this soup with a good sour dough french or a dense whole wheat bread.
Thanks to Julia Martinez for sharing her broccoli soup recipe and thoughts on healthy cooking.
Cleo, Food Bank volunteer




Ingredients:

1 bunch of broccoli, stems sliced and florets chopped into smaller pieces

2 tablespoons unsalted butter or olive oil
1 medium onion, sliced
1 clove garlic, smashed
Pinch dried thyme leaves and or other herbs as desired
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more as needed
2-4 cups chicken or vegetable broth

Milk, dairy or non-dairy

Freshly ground black pepper

1 russet potato, peeled and diced
Shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

-Melt the butter or oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
-Add the onion and garlic and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
-Add the broccoli (and potato, if using), herbs of choice, salt, and enough broth to cover the vegetables and bring to a boil.
-Adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook uncovered until the broccoli is  tender but not overcooked, about 5-7 minutes.

-Puree the soup in batches in a blender or with an immersion blender.

-Return soup to the pot and add milk to the puree, keeping the consistency fairly thick.. Bring to a simmer, taste, and season with salt and pepper.

Serve with the shredded cheddar cheese as a topping.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.