The Best Broccoli Soup Youll Ever Have Food

BEST CREAM OF BROCCOLI SOUP

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in medium sized stock pot, and sauté onion, garlic and celery until tender.
• Add broccoli and broth; cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Purée soup (I use a hand blender) or mash with potato masher.
• Return to heat.
• In small saucepan, over medium heat melt 3 tablespoons butter, stir in flour and add milk.
• Stir until thick and bubbly, add to soup.
• Add cheese; stir until melted.
• Season with pepper and serve.

THE BEST BROCCOLI CHEESE SOUP (BETTER-THAN-PANERA COPYCAT)

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, add 1 tablespoon butter, the diced onion, and sauté over medium heat until the onion is translucent and barely browned, about 4 minutes. Stir intermittently.Add the garlic and cook about 30 seconds, stirring constantly so it doesn't burn. Remove from heat and set pan aside.In a large heavy-bottom pot (I use this Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 6-3/4-Quart Oval French (Dutch) Oven) add 4 tablespoons butter, flour, and cook over medium heat for about 3 to 5 minutes, whisking constantly, until flour is thickened. You are making a roux and it's very important the mixture is thick or soup will never thicken properly later.Slowly add the vegetable stock, whisking constantly.Slowly add the half-and-half, whisking constantly.Allow mixture to simmer over low heat for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until it has reduced and thickened some. Whisk intermittently to re-incorporate the 'skin' that inevitably forms, this is normal.While mixture is simmering, chop the broccoli and carrots. After simmering 15 to 20 minutes, add the broccoli, carrots, and the onion and garlic you previously set aside.Add the salt, pepper, optional paprika, optional dry mustard powder, and optional cayenne. If you don't have these seasonings on hand, it's okay, but they do add subtle depth of flavor. Stir to combine.Allow soup to simmer over low heat for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until it has reduced and thickened some. Whisk intermittently to re-incorporate the 'skin' that inevitably forms, this is normal.While soup simmers, grate the cheese. It's important to use a high-quality cheese (not the cheapest thing you can find) because the flavor of the soup depends on it. Do not use pre-grated cheese in ziptop bags because that cheese is resistant to melting and won't incorporate well. After simmering about 20 to 25 minutes, add most of the cheese, reserving a small amount for garnishing bowls. Stir in the cheese until melted and incorporated fully, less than 1 minute.Transfer soup to bowls, garnish with reserved cheese, and serve immediately. Soup will keep airtight for 5 to 7 days in the fridge. Reheat gently in the microwave. I find the soup is less likely to 'break' or separate when reheated in the micro rather than on the stovetop, but do what you think is best. I don't recommend freezing the soup because I feel like the cheese and half-and-half will not do well upon thawing and soup could break, but I haven't actually tried freezing it.

EASY BROCCOLI SOUP

Steps:

• In a large deep pan heat the oil over medium and add the onion & garlic.
• Cook gently until softened for about 2-3 minutes.
• Add the potato, broccoli and stock and bring to the boil.
• Turn heat down and simmer for 20 mins until vegetables are cooked.
• Either pour into a blender and blend or use a stick blender in pan to make a smooth mixture.
• If using a blender add soup back to the pan and heat gently.
• It is at this point you can add the chopped bacon and simmer til bacon is cooked, about 15mins, then check seasoning.
• If not adding the bacon, check seasoning and add salt & pepper to taste & reheat gently.
• Serve in nice bowls with slices of french bread which have been toasted on one side, turned over and topped with either blue cheese or whatever cheese you have on hand and grilled for a few mins til melted & crispy, on the side.
• Note: cooking time does not include the extra time for the bacon addition.

BROCCOLI SOUP

Steps:

• Melt 4 tablespoons butter in heavy medium pot over medium-high heat. Add broccoli, onion, carrot, salt and pepper and saute until onion is translucent, about 6 minutes. Add the flour and cook for 1 minute, until the flour reaches a blonde color. Add stock and bring to boil.
• Simmer uncovered until broccoli is tender, about 15 minutes. Pour in cream. With an immersion blender, puree the soup. Add salt and pepper, to taste, and then replace the lid back on the pot. Serve hot with Homemade Croutons.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Cut bread into cubes and place in a large bowl. Drizzle cubes with olive oil, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Mix well.
• Spread seasoned bread onto a sheet pan and bake for about 15 minutes.

THE BEST BROCCOLI YOU'LL EVER EAT... WITHOUT TURNING ON THE OVEN

Steps:

• Bring large pan of salted water to a boil.
• Cut broccoli into florets.
• Add broccoli to boiling water and blanch for 1 minute. Drain.
• In a large skillet, warm sesame oil, garlic, and red pepper over low heat for 2 minutes.
• Stir in soy sauce and lemon juice. Add broccoli, toss to coat.
• EAT!