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Broccoli and Cheddar Cheese Soup

Broccoli and Cheddar Cheese Soup is a thick, rich, cheesy, creamy, comforting soup loaded with broccoli, some onion and garlic and a cheeky helping of delicious mature cheddar cheese.

Course light lunch, Lunch, Starter
Keyword Broccoli, cheddar cheese, soup
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings 4
Author Susan

Ingredients

For the soup –

  • 30g/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 125g/1 onion, peeled and chopped
  • 16g/4 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed
  • 40g/2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons plain/all-purpose flour
  • 800ml – 1.2 litres milk
  • 600g broccoli, stem included, chopped, roughly 1 large head
  • ¼ – ½ teaspoon fine salt
  • ¼ – ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 200g mature cheddar cheese, grated

Suggested toppings –

  • 40g strong cheddar, grated or finely crumbled
  • croutons, either plain or garlic or cheese croutons would be delicious
  • drizzle with chilli oil
  • scatter over chopped, cooked crispy bacon
  • some small cooked florets of broccoli
  • 1 – 2 spring onions, trimmed and finely sliced
  • chopped chives
  • fresh warmed bread – white, brown, naan or any flatbread
  • garlic bread

Instructions

  1. Collect together your equipment (see Recipe Notes below) and ingredients.

  2. Heat the butter in a large cast iron pan or saucepan over a moderate heat and add the chopped onion. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring from time to time, until softened and only very lightly caramelised.

  3. Add the crushed garlic and cook for a further minute.

  4. Next add the flour, mix well and cook, stirring continuously, for around 2 minutes.

  5. Add 800ml milk and bring to the boil, over a moderate heat, stirring continuously until the soup base thickens.

  6. When the soup is boiling, add half of the seasoning, the chopped broccoli florets and stems and reduce to a very gentle simmer. Put the lid on and cook for 15 – 20 minutes, stirring from time to time.

  7. Check that the broccoli is very soft. If not, cook for a further 5 minutes.

  8. As soon as the broccoli is soft, add the cheese and continue to cook for a couple of minutes for the cheese to melt.

  9. Leave to cool for around 15 minutes and then blend the soup:

    - either use an immersion stick blender to blend the soup in the casserole, or

    - blend in a food processor or blender. Do this in batches to avoid spillage and be careful transferring the very hot liquid.

  10. Pour everything back into the casserole/saucepan and bring the soup to a gentle simmer.

  11. The soup is likely to be too thick, so add some more milk, until you have the viscosity you desire. Bring back to a simmer. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Mature cheddar cheese can be quite salty, so you may not need any extra salt.

  12. Serve with your choice of toppings and some fresh crusty or hot garlic bread.

Recipe Notes

Equipment

  • Kitchen scales and measuring spoons and measuring jug
  • Chopping board and knife
  • Blender/Food processor/Immersion blender
  • Cast iron casserole dish or saucepan