My version of broccoli cheese soup uses fresh broccoli, steamed in a steamer basket to lock in the nutrients and soften the broccoli. Steaming broccoli for just five minutes brings a tender-crisp result. Steaming is superior to boiling because it prevents water-soluble vitamins from dissolving into the cooking water. It is also one of the best ways to retain vitamin C and carotenoids (natural fat soluble pigments acting as potent antioxidants) in vegetables like broccoli.
To steam the broccoli, pour one inch of water into a medium pot with lid. Place steamer basket into pot. Turn burner on medium heat and add broccoli flowerets and cover with lid. Steam broccoli for five minutes. Remove broccoli from basket. Set aside to cool. When cool, chop broccoli using a food processor with a metal blade. Use pulse option to chop only once or twice to avoid over chopping broccoli.
Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and combine with butter until smooth. Add onion and cook until softened. Pour chicken broth into pot. Stir to combine. Place broccoli into soup and add whipping cream, stirring until combined thoroughly. Soup may come to a simmer but do not boil.
Place slices of American cheese in soup and stir until melted. Sprinkle shredded cheese over soup, stirring soup until cheese is melted.
Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with seasoned croutons. I used garlic seasoned croutons for a flavorful complement to the creamy soup.
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Equipment:
Broccoli Cheese Soup
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place 1 inch of water in a pot. Place steamer basket in a pot with a lid. Turn burner on medium heat Add broccoli and lid. Steam broccoli for five minutes. Remove broccoli from basket. Set aside to cool. When cool, chop broccoli using a food processor. Use plus to chop only once or twice to avoid over chopping broccoli.
- Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and combine with butter until smooth. Add onion and cook until softened. Pour chicken broth into pot. Stir to combine. Place broccoli into soup and add whipping cream, stirring until combined thoroughly. Soup may come to a simmer but do not boil.
- Place slices of American cheese in soup and stir until melted. Sprinkle shredded cheese over soup, stirring soup until cheese is melted.
- Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with seasoned croutons.