Homemade Broccoli Cheese Soup

Growing up my soup of choice was believe it or not... Ramen Noodle Soup. These days I love making my own more sophisticated soups. It's hard to go wrong with soup and there are so many choices. You put it all in the pot and don't have to do much else and leftovers are the best.

My kids love going to Panera's and getting their Broccoli Cheese soup, but I can make a much healthier and cheaper version at home. I make it a couple times a month... because I know they will eat it! It just does my heart good knowing they are eating something that is nutritious and yummy! (and I don't have to force them)

Here's how I make mine:

Ingredients
-1/2 onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 big head of Broccoli
-2 carrots, chopped
-4 cups of chicken or vegetable stock
-4 Tbsp of flour
-2 cups of milk (1/2 c. mix with fl.)
-2 cups of grated cheese
 -salt and pepper to taste
-1/4 tsp nutmeg

Directions:

-Saute half an onion and 2
cloves of garlic in 2 Tbs of butter
-When they have softened add 2 containers of chicken broth( or vegetable) about 4 cups.
-Add 2 carrots, 1 big bunch of broccoli  all cut up
-Cook over medium low heat till vegetables are tender but not too mushy
- Add chicken stock

-Here is my sneaky secret for getting vegetables into my children: put soup in blender or use immersion blender till smooth and they can't even tell they are eating onions and carrots. If you like to see your veggies don't blend it all. I like to use the least amount of appliances as possible so there is less clean up, but this is worth it! They never have to know!

- Pour everything back into pot.

-To make it thick and creamy I mix about 4 Tbsp of flour with 1/2 c. of milk and add it in.

-Add another cup and a half of milk, salt and pepper to taste and for a little kick I add nutmeg.

- Add 2 cups of cheese...my kids love helping so I put them to work grating the good stuff.

I love adding some grated cheese, sour cream and cilantro to the top. If you want to go really over the top... crumbled bacon! To make it really complete eat it with some home made bread. This soup is really good anytime but to experience how truly good it is; a cold, rainy night is perfect.