okay, yumm. to the nth degree. forget those other soups i've been talking about. this one is all i need. forever. what was i thinking when i dubbed myself 'not a big soup person'? seriously. give me a bowl of broccoli cheddar and i will be a happy girl. but it has to be good broccoli cheddar. a thing sometimes hard to find. that said, i really hit the jackpot with this recipe. i give you: broccoli soup for the panera-deprived soul. the closest copycat in town.
Panera Style Broccoli Cheddar Soup
1 T. butter, melted
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1/4 c. melted butter
1/4 c. flour
2 cups half-and-half
2 cups chicken stock or bouillon
1/2 pound fresh broccoli, coarsely chopped
1 cup carrots, julienned
salt and pepper to taste
8 oz. grated cheddar cheese
01. saute onion in 1 T. butter, set aside.
02. cook melted 1/4 c. butter and flour using a whisk over medium heat for 3-5 minutes. stir constantly and slowly add the half-and-half. add the chicken stock, whisking all the time. (you will get a tremendous arm workout by the time you're done.) simmer for 20 minutes.
03. add the broccoli, carrots, and onion. cook over low heat until the veggies are tender, about 20 minutes. add salt and pepper. the soup should be thickened by now. pour in batches into blender and give it just a few pulses. (you want it to have small lumps, not smithereens.)
04. return to pot over low heat and add the grated cheese; stir until well blended before serving.
just so you know, i was licking the ladle before i threw it in the sink. it is that good. no, really. it is. the velvety base, the sprinkles of carrot, the broccoli bits, the ribbons of cheddar... and all snapped up in a blender. oh. my. i don't even care that it looks like baby food.
15 comments:
you are my hero. seriously. :)
Thanks for the recipe! I will definitely be making that soon!!
Oh, my, Summer-- now I have another craving! This looks so yummy. Adding it to the menu plan for next weeks soup night! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing.
I am defenitely going to try that soon.
oh my goodness, summer! i've made this recipe before, it is so good and taste so close to panera's!! congratulations on your find!
Oh my goodness, why couldn't I have half and half in the house? Why???
YUM!
Saw this... started craving it hardcore... stopped at the grocery store after my kettlebells class... it is FANTASTIC!!!
Thank you!!
Would you believe that I've never ever eaten at Panera? Sometime I'll have to remedy that, though, because everything that you mention as being Panera-ish looks Sooooo good! I'm going to bookmark this ad try it. I'll bet it would be amazing in sourdough bread bowls.
Mmm, I just printed this out and will for sure be making it this week. Delicious!
Ok...so I made this for dinner tonight and it was FABULOUS! My husband LOVED it. I didn't have half-and-half...just used skim milk and I was pleased with the results. Great recipe!
I also made with skim milk and it was very yummy, although I gave most of it away to my sil who loves Panera! I can't wait to make it again. Thank you.
this is perfect... i love panera but we don't have one out here in the desert. :) thanks for sharing.
I made it tonight! ***** (5 star) YUM!
This soup is awesome! I found your blog via my sister in law, donyaluana, and I am now a daily stocker of your blog! Especially the recipes. :) Even my extremely picky 3 year old daughter told me she loved it and wants me to make it again sometime. By the way, congrats on the pregnancy. Children are amazing miracles!