Creamy Broccoli Cheese Soup

At the end of a snowy day, after watching the blizzard rage outside and snowshoeing in it, there is nothing quite so satisfying as a bowl of delicious soup. During my daily dilemma of what to make for supper I remembered that I had a bag of broccoli in my freezer and hadn't had one of my favorite soups in a long time: Cream of Broccoli. I used to steer away from making cream soups, because in my frugal mind they require a lot of milk and cheese (aka expensive ingredients. Yes I know I'm ridiculous). After working in a kitchen for 3 1/2 years, however, I realized that some cream soups turn out just fine when started with a broth.

With that in mind, I hauled out my dutch oven (best pot I own and I highly recommend adding one to your kitchen) and filled the bottom with frozen broccoli. I then added some diced onion, mined garlic, and shredded carrots for color, and made my own broth combination. After it simmered for 30 minutes or so the broccoli was soft and the some of the broth had evaporated. I then added enough milk to give it a creamy look, and next made some roux.

 Roux is a thickening agent used in many soups, gravies and stews.

It consists of a liquid, either fat or water, mixed with flour to create a paste. I used canola oil for the liquid and added enough flour to make it thick, yet pourable from my measuring cup. I whipped this into my soup and let it thicken a bit before adding some cheese. Once the cheese had melted and was thoroughly combined, it was done. One taste test proved it to be delicious…and cheap! My favorite! 

Ingredients

3 cups frozen broccoli

1 Tbs minced garlic

1/2 cup chopped onions

1/2 cup shredded carrots

2 cubes chicken bullion (can sub vegetarian chicken seasoning)

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp celery salt

2 tsp parsley

1/2 tsp fresh dill

Enough water to more than cover above ingredients

1 to 1 1/2 cups milk

Roux (see above)

1/2 cup cheese of choice (I used taco style)

Next time the winter blues are getting you down, stop and make yourself a bowl of this delicious soup and watch them melt away with each mmmm, yummy sound coming from your mouth :)