Tasty Tuesday

When the weather gets cooler and a bit rainy, and the grey clouds meander in the sky, I begin to crave the cozy warmth and taste of homemade soup. I love everything about the entire process, from selecting the right veggies from the market, grabbing some herbs from my garden, and spending a homey afternoon or evening in the kitchen just chopping, stirring and simmering delicious ingredients. My mouth is beginning to water just writing this!!! And ahhhh… the very best part, the EATING of the soup along with some fresh home-baked bread. There’s something about an afternoon making soup and serving it to those you love that just melts away your stress.

Now I’m not above having a yummy soup outside my kitchen, and I must admit Panera makes a killer bread broccoli cheese soup. Yes, it’s not for the faint of calorie-counters. But you know I believe in eating well in moderation, so if you know you’re going to be indulging in a not-for-daily-consumption item, just figure it into your caloric intake for the day, and enjoy it guilt free! But I digress…

Thanks to www.budgetsavvydiva.com, I found a copycat recipe for Panera’s Bread Broccoli Cheese Soup! Be sure to visit her website for lots of dee-lish recipes. (for step-by-step pictures check out her post at:

http://www.budgetsavvydiva.com/2012/05/copy-cat-panera-bread-broccoli-cheese-soup-recipe/

Ingredients
◦1/2 medium onion, chopped
◦1/4 cup melted butter
◦1/4 cup flour
◦2 cups half-and-half ( or skim milk)
◦2 cups chicken stock
◦1/2 pound fresh broccoli ( florets only)
◦1 cup carrots, julienne
◦1/4 teaspoon of salt
◦1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
◦1/2 teaspoon pepper
◦8 ounces grated cheddar cheese

Instructions
1. Saute onions in a little butter in a small pan – set aside.
2. In a large stockpot ( I accidentally used a medium-size pan) – melt butter. Add flour and mix for 3 minutes.
3. Slowly add half- half – mixing the entire time.
4. Slowly add chicken stock- mixing the entire time.
5. Let simmer on low for 20 minutes.
6. Add broccoli, carrots; onions and cook on low for 25 minutes.
7. Season with salt, pepper; nutmeg.
8. Place soup in a blender or use an immersion blender and puree.
9. Heat soup over low heat and add cheese and mix till melted.
10. Serve ( hopefully in a bread bowl) and Enjoy

For a quick make bread (although it will take a couple of hours to rise), surf over to

http://heart-hands-home.blogspot.com/2011/06/five-minute-bread-refrigerator-mix.html

for a great five minute (refrigerator mix) dough recipe that you can make into bread bowls!

So get ready to snuggle up on the couch , turn on the game, and root for your favorite team with family and friends this weekend while chowing down on a bowlful of pure L-O-V-E!!!

Blessings,
Coach Linda Bush