Blogging Marathon #68 Week 1 Day 2
Theme: Soups and Stews
Dish: Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Today is the second day of the Mega Marathon and I am back with yet another soup. Yesterday I posted a broth based Manchow Soup, today it is time for something a little less healthy, but super tasty! For the people who are familiar with the soup, you know how sinful a bow can be! For the others, this soup will definitely be a game changer.
It sure was a shock for me when I first heard of cheese in a soup. My definition of soup was something that is healthy, light and sometimes served with a sinful accompaniment like fried croutons or fried noodles. When I read about this soup in a cookbook, I was amazed. A soup fully loaded with cheddar cheese, broccoli and cream was unbelievable. Then I had this soup at Panera Bread, and I was hooked up! This soup is the reason I avoid getting Cheddar Cheese home. If I see some cheese lying around, I would be tempted to make this all over again!
The soup is pretty easy to make, with a few ingredients and about half an hour. While most ingredients can be substituted or skipped based on the family preferences, I would not recommend changing two ingredients: Cheddar Cheese (obviously, the name of the soup says it all!) and Nutmeg. The spice adds a distinct flavor to the soup which cannot be achieved by any other spice!
I have made a version from the book Top Secret Recipes but made a few changes based on how we like it. If you look online, a lot of variations claim to be the original Panera Bread recipe, some have potato, some chicken stock and some have celery. My recipe is none of those! It is simply a soup that has everything we love as a family and tastes....better than Panera Bread! Try this yourself, serve a bowl full of this soup with a sandwich, I am sure you will have a satisfying meal at home 🙂
Ingredients
Broccoli 1 medium head, florets separated
Carrot 1 medium, grated
Yellow/White Onion ½ medium, diced
Garlic 1-2 cloves, minced
Olive Oil/Butter 1 tbsp
Shredded Cheddar Cheese ¼ cup
Half and Half ½ cup (Or Full Fat Cream ¼ cup and Milk ¼ cup)
Allpurpose Flour/Maida 2 tbsp
Vegetable Stock/Water 1 ½ cup
Nutmeg Powder 1 pinch
Salt and Pepper as required
Method
Heat oil or butter in a thick bottom pan. Add garlic and saute till the raw flavor vanishes. Then, add diced onion and mix well. Cook till the onion is translucent. Add grated carrot and mix well. Next, add the flour and mix till it is coated with the oil from the pan. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, till the flour is darker in shade. Add half and half, mix well and then add the vegetable stock/ water. Season with a teaspoon salt, a teaspoon pepper and a pinch of nutmeg.
Bring the mixture to a boil and then cook it for 6-7 minutes. Add in the broccoli florets, cook for another 8-10 minutes till the broccoli is soft. Now let the soup cool for a while and then using an immersion mixer whip the soup. If you like your soup chunky, just mix it for a minute. If you like it smooth, you can actually blend in a blender as well.
Return the soup to the pan, heat and add the cheese. Simmer for a couple of minutes and serve topped with some cheese, cracked pepper and broccoli florets.
Check out the Blogging Marathon page to see what the other Blogging Marathoners are doing for BM# 68
The Pumpkin Farm says
comforting soup - nice pictures specially with the bread stuck in the ear of the bowl
vaishali sabnani says
That soup bowl is attractive , looks to be a complete healthy meal ..
Srivalli says
Wow love how creamy your soup looks..very nice..
Kalyani says
Lovely soup there, Smruti ! I make something similar ...
Gayathri Kumar says
wow! This soup loaded with cheese looks gorgeous.
cookingwithsapana says
I love broccoli in soups .This one looks so hearty and filling.
MySpicyKitchen says
I prefer light soups but once in a while would not mind indulging in creamy rich soups.
Priya Suresh says
Omg, this bowl of comforting soup will definitely please everyone's tastebuds at home, even my kids will enjoy thoroughly this healthy soup.
Nalini's Kitchen says
Soup looks so creamy and delicious.Lovely presentation esp.the 3rd click..
Harini R says
My family loves this soup.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
I had this soup in mind for the series but somehow ended up making something else. I would like to try your recipe. Looks so creamy!
Archana says
Wow we love soups S! and I believe this will change my younger one from I don't like broccoli to love it. Thanks
Srividhya says
My kiddos favorite. You can sneak in veggies easily in these soups. very nice smruthi.
Suma Gandlur says
My family loves this soup and this gets made quite often at my home. Your stills are superb.
www.annapurnaz.in says
Uh oh!! Your description of soup is tempting me to try it, though I'm not a big fan of cheese.
Priya Srinivasan - I Camp in My Kitchen says
I lovvv this soup, so filling and healthy. We have soups twice a week for dinner, i m definitely going to try this!
veena says
Such a filling soup and the pics are beautiful!!
Unknown says
Good clicks. the pics are very inviting...
Pavani says
I love broccoli and cheese soup and yours looks soooo creamy and delicious.