Cream Of Broccoli Vegetable Cheese Soup

Total Time: 45 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1 large head of broccoli, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 large leek, chopped and light green parts
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 celery rib, chopped
• 1 cup chopped carrot
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons chicken soup base
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 cup fat-free half-and-half, can use regular
• 2 cups shredded gouda cheese (any mild cheese is good too) or 2 cups cheddar cheese (any mild cheese is good too)
• salt, to taste

Recipe

• 1 place broccoli, onions, leeks, potatoes, celery, carrots, garlic, soup base and pepper in a large soup pot. add enough water to just cover.
• 2 bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until everything is tender.
• 3 using an immersion blender (or use a food processor or blender) puree.
• 4 retun to pot.
• 5 in a small saucepan, melt butter. whisk in the flour and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
• 6 add the butter/flour roux to the soup pot.
• 7 add half and half and cheese. heat gently to melt cheese and thicken, stirring very often.
• 8 add salt and/or more pepper to taste.