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Broccoli Cheddar Soup – and a Little Bit of Love

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If the title didn’t already tell you, today we’re talking about soup… and a little bit of love.  Or perhaps it’s the other way around…

A warm hug in a bowl. With broccoli, carrots and cheddar cheese, this soup is sure to put a smile on your face.

I know I haven’t spoken a whole lot of myself on this site yet. I’m a bit of a hermit–you’ve got to poke me sometimes to get me out of my shell. So today, and this recipe in particular, is a little glimpse into my life.

I was recently asked to take part in a cookbook project for a friend. Her daughter is getting married this month and she had the cutest idea to take all of her friends’ and families’ favorite recipes and create a cookbook. She asked that we all include a few notes on marriage, advice, or love in general, or even just a funny story associated with the recipe. Now, anyone that knows me knows that I am the silly type. I crack jokes, have quippy remarks and rarely ever get sappy. But to my surprise, lovely reader, I sat in front of my keyboard and the floodgates burst open.

Here is the story of my first apartment with Kevin. Please enjoy.

“Imagine a small, dusty and practically windowless apartment. There are walls, but no art; floors, but no furniture; a roof over your head, yet nothing to fill the silence.  You look outside, forlorn, because it’s raining–you can’t even go to the park. But in that moment, you look to your right and the bare walls fall away, the roof disappears and instantly the sun is shining… And you’re suddenly left with the realization that this is the moment your life has been leading up to. This person… This seemingly ordinary person with broken glasses and a slightly crooked nose is here. With you. In the home you now have with each other. But he’s not ordinary; he’s your entire world. And in that moment you understand that you don’t need art, or furniture, or the latest new fad to live a full and wonderful life.  The only thing that matters is the person next to you.

Marriage can be rocky, to say the least. I can’t give any real advice as I’m always learning new things in mine, but I will say this:  Remember your moment… that moment you looked into his eyes and you knew–you are his and he is yours–and you can get through anything.

This recipe is the first homemade meal Kevin and I ever shared together. I hope you come to cherish it as much as I have.”

A warm hug in a bowl. With broccoli, carrots and cheddar cheese, this soup is sure to put a smile on your face.

Until next time. X

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A warm hug in a bowl. With broccoli, carrots and cheddar cheese, this soup is sure to put a smile on your face.

Broccoli Cheddar Soup – and a Little Bit of Love

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Ingredients

  • 1/4 c. unsalted butter
  • 1/2 medium white onion, diced
  • 1/4 c. AP flour
  • 1 c. half and half
  • 2 c. chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 lb. fresh broccoli, cut into small florets
  • 1 c. shredded carrot
  • 1/4 lb. american cheese, sliced from the deli
  • sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and saute, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent–about 5 minutes.
  2. Add the flour to the pot and stir to combine, making a roux. Stirring constantly, pour in the half and half 1/4 cup at a time, making sure it is fully incorporated.
  3. Add the chicken broth, broccoli and carrot and stir to combine. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.
  4. Tear the sliced american cheese into smaller pieces and add to the soup, stirring to melt the cheese. Add freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese to taste.
A warm hug in a bowl. With broccoli, carrots and cheddar cheese, this soup is sure to put a smile on your face.

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Comments

  2. I love quick, easy and delicious recipes and this is certainly one of them! My entire family will lick the soup bowls clean as broccoli cheese is one we all love and enjoy!

    Reply

  4. This is my kind of soup, easy and cheese, and packed with amazing flavours. You’ve given me a great idea, my little one doesn’t like broccoli, but adores cheese, l might get to trick her with it. I will definitely enjoy it!

    Reply

  5. I love this sweet story. I wish I could remember the first thing I made for my husband. The soup sounds so delicious and simple and easy! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  6. I love this idea – and what you wrote! It’s so cute that you remember the first homemade meal you shared together – I have absolutely no idea what ours was. I remember the first — and only — time my husband ever tried to cook for me, back when we were in college. One bad screw up and he’s never set foot in the kitchen again! 😉

    Reply

  7. That is such a sweet story – and of course you are right. That’s the moment to remember…

    And the soup loos so good, and easy as well! You’re right – a good roux makes all the difference.

    Reply

  8. I never think to make Broccoli and Cheddar soup, although I really like it! Love that it uses few and simple ingredients, which is right up my alley. Will put this on my list to try soon and think the family will very much enjoy it. Thanks!

    Reply

  9. Aww. I love the idea of this cookbook. Now I want to get married all over again to do this for my wedding. Ha. I’ve had broccoli cheddar soup once before and it was ok. I’ll def try this one for myself and see if I like it better. And such a sweet story.

    Reply

  11. Great that you have cookbook idea! My husband is suggesting to me to the same thing;) love broccoli soup, which perfect for this season!

    Reply

  12. What a lovely story! And this was a great meal to share as your first one. This is probably one of my favorite soups but I never thought of putting carrots in it. I’m going to try that next time. Thanks for sharing that sweet story 🙂

    Reply

    • Carrots – it’s one of those simple ingredients I might balk at, at first (after all, it isn’t Broccoli Cheddar CARROT Soup), but once you try it there’s no going back! It adds just that little something extra that makes this soup fantastic. Thank you!

      Reply

  13. This has got to be one of my favorite soups of all time! I just love how simple it is to prepare and make for the family. Never thought of using American Cheese, but I bet it’s a melting bliss! Just made this last week and we’re counting down the days until we make it next, yum!

    Reply

    • American Cheese for the meltiness and Cheddar for the flavor. It’s a match made in heaven and you don’t have to worry about the soup turning out all grainy from hard cheeses. Thank you for the nice comment!

      Reply

  14. I had never tasted “cheese-based” soups until I visited the US and since then I have been hooked. They are very comforting soups and give such a rich taste, very classy. And broccoli cheddar? What a great combination made in heaven.

    Reply

    • This is my favorite soup on rainy days. I’m not huge on cheese-based soups (and anything from a can? Absolutely not), but this one has stuck with me through the years. Until I made it at home I never realized it was more broth than cheese, which helped win me over. Ha!

      Reply

  15. I’m such a sucker for love stories. 🙂 What a terrific idea – a cookbook with words of relationship wisdom and advice – I love it!!! Almost as much as I love Broccoli Cheddar Soup. LOL. No, I’m serious, it’s my favourite type of soup. Have you tried using the stalks of the broccoli in your soup? I hate to discard anything at all, so I usually trim the bottom of the stalk, use my carrot peeler to take away the outer layer, slice the stalk into 1/4 inch rounds and cook them in some salted boiling water until fork tender. Then, I toss them in the soup along with the florets when ready. It’s a great way to use up the stalks and to get more broccoli flavour for your money. 🙂

    Reply

    • What a fabulous suggestion! I actually usually just purchase the crowns alone, but I think I might try your idea the next time I make this. Thank you!

      Reply

  16. I love the idea of a marriage Cookbook! When I got married everyone at the shower gave me advice- some was silly some was serious. A lot was about food was the way to a man’s heart. It was all sweet but I would have loved a marriage Cookbook. I’m sure the bride and groom love the soup. It looks so good I’m going to makw it for my family this weekend.

    Reply

    • I bet the cookbook idea would work for a big anniversary! I think I’m going to do it for myself next year. I hope you enjoy the soup. It’s definitely one of my favorites.

      Reply

  17. I love broccoli cheddar soup! Let me tell ya, this looks like the creamiest broccoli cheese I have ever seen! It definitely going on my meal rotation!!

    Reply

  19. I LOOOOVE broccoli cheddar soup… and somehow I’ve never cooked it myself! I’ll have to change that! And I love the cookbook as a wedding gift idea– so adorable. I wish I could remember the first meal I shared with my hubs (oops!)

    Reply

    • Ha! My experience was unique – I barely cooked at all, much less from scratch, before Kevin and I moved in together. So in a way he’s the reason I’m a food blogger now!

      Thank you for the kind words!

      Reply

  20. Broccoli Cheddar soup is probably one of my all time favorites and I love how every recipe comes out a little different. This looks amazing and thank you for sharing the story behind it! That makes it even more beautiful.

    Reply

  21. Yum…this looks delicious and warm and comforting. Perfect for fall weather. I have a similar recipe but I like this one and the addition of carrots to sweeten things up a bit. Such a sweet story about your husband. Marriage is certainly a road traveled and usually the best trip of a lifetime.

    Reply

  23. This is SUCH a sweet story! I know exactly the moment you mean, and can remember it clearly with my own husband. I love the idea of a friends and family cookbook as a wedding gift, too — such a sweet and personal gift! I’m sure the bride and groom will love it. 🙂

    Oh, and duh, this recipe sounds amazing! Broccoli + cheddar… it has to be good!

    Reply

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