January 11, 2012....Winter is Here!

Winter is FINALLY here! Well, I should say it's not really here, just making its presence known to the central part of Minnesota.

I hope 2012 is still finding you all healthy, well, and warm (wait, it was just 50 degrees-disregard). Now that I sit in the kitchen writing this I hear the wind howling it's usual tune this time of year and the snow dancing across the sky (trying to give us a spectacular show). I for one, am mighty disappointed in lack of winter and lack of ice fishing.

Therefore, it is with my great pleasure to give you (wait for it) another recipe! I will have to tell you I kind of tweaked this one to fit my own personal preference. I absolutely love Panera Bread's Broccoli Cheese Soup, and I found a recipe for it, but I also found another recipe that I liked a part of too-therefore, kind of combined them.

Give it your best shot!

BROCCOLI CHEESE SOUP

INGREDIENTS:

2 Tablespoons Butter

1 Small Onion (I used 3 stalks of Green Onion-great color)

3 Stalks Celery-Finely Diced

2 Carrots-Julienned (I used my cheese grater)

3 Cloves Garlic-Minced (I just used 1 Tablespoon of already minced garlic)

2-3 Cups Broccoli (Cut into small enough pieces to fit on a spoon)

3 Cups Chicken Broth (If you use bouillon cubs-1 cube equals 1 cup of water-do the math)

2 Cups Half & Half or 2 Cups Milk with 1/4 Cup Flour (blended)

8 Ounces Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese (Also equals 2 cups if you buy it already grated) or just use Velveeta OR however cheesy you like.

*Salt & Pepper to taste*

**Milk & Flour for thickening**

DIRECTIONS:

1) Melt butter in a pot over medium heat

2) Add Onions, Celery and pinch of salt and pepper to melted butter and cook until soft. 

3) Add Garlic, cook for another minute.

4) Add Broccoli & Carrots, cook for another minute.

5) Add Chicken Stock, Bring to a boil.

6) Slowly stir in Half & Half (or Flour/Milk mixture)

7) Reduce heat to a simmer, Add Cheese-Stir (don't want your cheese to burn to the bottom)

8) Continue to cook (low to simmer) until to your liking.

**OPTIONAL: May want to add some milk and flour mixture to soup to help thicken if needed when almost ready to serve.

Onions/Celery and Carrots

Add Onion/Celery to butter in pan

Cash wanted to play ball

Photo Op!

Add Broccoli & Carrots to Onion/Celery

For you non-mathematicians: 1 Pt equals 2 Cups

Dish up and enjoy! I did