Roasted Broccoli and Cheddar Soup

"Broccoli and cheddar soup."

Did your mouth water too! Thinking about the taste just makes me hungry. The next thought that pops into my head is the calories. You know that cream base is on the back of your shoulders just taunting you!'

Relax, I've got this under control. I found this recipe for a broccoli cheddars soup that doesn't use a cream base at all. The taste was so flavorful and warm in my mouth, I didn't even think about the other cream base soup, because I wasn't missing out on anything. The roasted vegetables make the broth burst with flavor and let the spices ignite your taste buds.

It is super simple to make with only a few ingredients and instructions.

Check it out:

Roasted Broccoli and Cheddar Soup

A creamy broccoli and cheddar soup with the concentrated flavour of roasted broccoli.

Servings: makes 4 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 60 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 large bunch broccoli, cut into florets
• 1 tablespoon oil
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme, chopped
• 3 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth or chicken stock or ham broth
• 1 1/2 cups aged cheddar, shredded
• 1 cup milk (If you want a creamier base, use pureed white beans instead)
• 1 tablespoon grainy mustard (optional)
• salt and pepper to taste 
  

Directions

1. Toss the broccoli florets in the oil along with the salt and pepper, arrange them in a single layer on a large baking sheet and roast in a preheated 400F oven until lightly golden brown, about 20-30 minutes. 
   
2. Heat the oil in a large sauce pan over medium heat, add the onion and saute until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and thyme and saute until fragrant, about a minute.
4. Add the broth and broccoli, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.
   
5. Mix in the milk, cheese and mustard, let the cheese melt and season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Puree the soup with a hand blender or in a food processor or blender and enjoy!
   
   
   
   Option: If you want to add some meat into your dish, begin by cooking 4 strips of bacon. Remove the bacon and chop it up, but stir your onions and garlic into the bacon grease rather than the oil.