Cheesy Broccoli Soup In Sourdough Bread Bowls With Optional Ham Food

CHEESY BROCCOLI SOUP IN A BREAD BOWL

Steps:

• In a 6-qt. stockpot, heat butter over medium heat; saute onion and garlic until tender, 6-8 minutes. Stir in broccoli, carrot, stock, cream and seasonings; bring to a boil. Simmer, uncovered, until vegetables are tender, 10-12 minutes., Mix cornstarch and water until smooth; stir into soup. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Remove bay leaves. Stir in cheese until melted., If using bread bowls, cut a slice off the top of each bread loaf; hollow out bottoms, leaving 1/4-in.-thick shells (save removed bread for another use). Fill with soup just before serving. , If desired, serve soup with toppings.

ALMOST-FAMOUS BROCCOLI-CHEDDAR SOUP

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the flour and cook until golden, 3 to 4 minutes, then gradually whisk in the half-and-half until smooth. Add the chicken broth, bay leaves and nutmeg, then season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, until thickened, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare the bread bowls: Using a sharp knife, cut a circle into the top of each loaf, leaving a 1-inch border all around. Remove the bread top, then hollow out the middle with a fork or your fingers, leaving a thick bread shell.
• Add the broccoli and carrot to the broth mixture and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Discard the bay leaves. Puree the soup in batches in a blender until smooth; you'll still have flecks of carrot and broccoli. Return to the pot. (Or puree the soup in the pot with an immersion blender.)
• Add the cheese to the soup and whisk over medium heat until melted. Add up to 3/4 cup water if the soup is too thick. Ladle into the bread bowls and garnish with cheese.

CHEESY BROCCOLI SOUP

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring water and bouillon to a boil. Add broccoli. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 3-4 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain, reserving 3/4 cup liquid. , In another large saucepan, saute onion in butter until tender. Whisk in flour until blended. Add the milk and cheese. Cook over medium-low heat until thickened and cheese is melted, stirring frequently. Stir in broccoli and reserved cooking liquid.

CHEESY BROCCOLI SOUP

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
• Add flour and cook, stirring constantly to make a very "blond" roux, about 3-4 minute.
• Add chicken stock, half and half, salt, mustard, and cayenne.
• Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently.
• Add broccoli and reduce heat to a simmer.
• Cook about 15-20 min, or until the broccoli is crisp-tender.
• Add cheddar cheese and stir to combine. Simmer until cheese melts.
• Serve with a topping of chives or scallions and a little more cheese if desired.