October 16, 2013
Well. It's about that time of year. The one where I'm purposely avoiding thinking about the holidays/Christmastime. It's still maybe a bit too far away? But the house is getting so nice and chilly! And really, they're right around the corner... we just have to make it past Halloween. I'm completely enjoying the falling leaves and everything, but the pumpkins are starting to toy with my mind. It never fails that around mid-October, holidayish thoughts sneak into my mind when I'm not watching out. Like when I start making a mental list of Christmas treats to bake this year. Or when I get an email from my sisters saying let's talk about Christmas plans. (yaaaay!) Or when I catch myself daydreaming about bringing the Christmas boxes up from the basement (this starts in August, I think). Or this morning when all of a sudden I was on Amazon looking at possible Christmas presents for Hadley, and again this afternoon when a brilliant gift idea for Grant hit me-- note to self: don't forget about that one.

Anyone else fighting the Christmas urge yet? Some of you don't even fight it, which is great. But I like the holding back- this stretch of the year that makes me wait. For me it makes the arrival, when it finally gets here, that much more satisfying.

So, in the mean time, I will keep drinking hot tea, making soups, watching the leaves tumble, and maybe pinning some Christmasy things while I wait for "the arrival." Speaking of soups, here's my current favorite. It's classic broccoli cheese, but without any fake cream of crud soups involved. And it's been bolstered with a few more veggies and quinoa. Broccoli cheese soup is one of my comfort foods, and this one does not disappoint. The taste is just right, so satisfying, and there's no extra steps like putting it in a blender before serving. The quinoa is completely optional, but we really like it.


 Loaded Broccoli Cheese Soup

2 T. butter or ghee
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 cup finely chopped carrots
salt and pepper to taste
2 cloves minced garlic
4 cups chicken broth 
1 head of broccoli, chopped small
1 zucchini squash, chopped small
1 T. flour (I used sprouted brown rice flour)
1/2 cup water
2/3 cup milk (or milk substitute that you like)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 or 3 cups cooked quinoa

other veggie options that might be nice... cauliflower, potatoes, or kale

Melt the butter in a large soup pot over medium high heat. Add onion and carrots, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until tender. Add garlic cook for another minute or two. Add chicken broth, broccoli, and zucchini, and bring to a boil. Keep in mind if you are using homemade chicken broth, you may want to add more salt. Turn down to a simmer, cover, and cook until veggies are tender. Mix flour with water, add to the pot, and simmer until soup is thickened slightly. Add milk, cheese, and cooked quinoa, stirring until heated through and cheese is melted. Serve hot. We ate ours with cheese on toast. 

For any of you who don't do dairy, I've made this with rice milk and without cheese and it is still super cozy and delicious. 


3 comments:

sarah {on the brightside...} said...

I know it's too early, but I have definitely started to get in that Christmasy mood! I especially can't wait to start listening to Christmas music, I am sure I will start after Halloween!! :) Your soup looks amazing, I love broccoli & cheese & adding more veggies sounds even better!

Hannah said...

That soup sounds delicious! I adore warming soups for lunch throughout Autumn and Winter. I have started thinking about Christmas earlier than ever before this year - my baby is due at the end of November and I love the thought of being well prepared for Christmas with meals in the freezer and presents wrapped up so that I can focus on snuggling my baby while I enjoy the holiday season! I started Christmas shopping in August!!

Josie said...

I know what you mean, for some reason I have been itching to play christmas music so early, I am holding off at least until Nov. 1st.
We just re-arranged our garage and all my christmas containers are font and center just waiting to be opened!
I have been enjoying up all my fall/christmas magazines..curling up on the couch with some hot cocoa and diving in when the little one falls asleep...

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about this blog

Hello, I'm Summer. A people-loving introvert whose hope and life is in Jesus. His promises are my passion and my ministry is homelife. This blog is a place for me to write about everyday things. Especially food. My favorite thing to do is sit around a table, lingering over a long meal with good conversation. I live with my husband and our 2 littles. We like blizzards, thrifting, grammar, guacamole, cheerful hearts, nice manners, good movies, and making simple, real, nutrient-dense food.

"If Christ be anything, He must be everything."
-C.H. Spurgeon

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