Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe

Cold weather always leads me to make soup and today I made Broccoli Cheddar Soup at the request of my daughter. Following is the easy recipe.

What is your favorite soup?

1 tablespoon butter

1/2 onion, chopped

1 tablespoon chopped garlic

1/4 cup melted butter

1/4 cup flour

2 cups milk (I use 1% or 2% milk)

2 cups chicken stock (I use low sodium vegetable or chicken broth)

1 1/2 cups chopped broccoli florets (I used a 12 oz bag of steamable broccoli cooked first in the microwave)

1 cup chopped carrots

1 stalk celery, chopped

1 15 oz can of corn

2 1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Ground black pepper, garlic powder and salt to taste

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Saute onion and chopped garlic in hot butter until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add 1/4 cup melted butter, 1/4 cup flour and 2 tablespoons milk in to the large pot with the onion and garlic and whisk over medium-low heat. Continue whisking for a couple minutes until smooth.

Pour 2 cups milk and then 2 cups of broth into the flour and butter mixture and continue to whisk until blended.

Bring to a gentle simmer on low to medium-low heat for 20 minutes, stirring often.

Add broccoli, carrots, corn and celery to the soup and gently simmer for 20 minutes, stirring often.

Add cheddar cheese to the soup and mix until cheese melts. Season with ground black pepper, garlic powder and salt to taste.

Add to bowls and top with a sprinkle of cheddar, a dollop of sour cream or a couple of garlic croutons. Enjoy!