Broccoli Cheddar Soup is a tried and true classic sure to please everyone at lunch or dinner! Fresh broccoli, sharp cheddar, shredded carrot and sweet onions are the secret to this recipe! Pair with some delicious homemade bread for a filling country-style meal!  Here’s how:

 

Country-Style Broccoli Cheddar Soup 

Servings: 4

Ingredients: 

1/4 cup melted butter

1/2 medium chopped onion

1/4 cup flour

2 cups half-and-half cream

2 cups chicken stock or broth

1/2 lb broccoli, (about 3 cups), chopped into bite size pieces

1 cup carrot, , julienned (can buy matchstick carrots in produce section)

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, (optional but brings out the flavor)

8 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese, (2 cups)

salt and pepper to taste

optional: 1 teaspoon coriander, 1/2 cup parmesan cheese

 

Recipe:

Melt the 1/4 cup butter and saute the onions in it until soft. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture. Cook and stir over medium heat for 1-2 minutes.

Whisk in the half & half and chicken stock.

Add the broccoli and carrots. Cook over low heat for 20-25 minutes or until the broccoli and carrots are tender.

Add salt and pepper. You can leave the soup chunky or blend about 1 cup of the soup and stir it in for a smoother soup. I prefer my soup thick and hearty. Return to low heat and add the cheese. If your heat is too high your soup can get grainy. Stir in the nutmeg and coriander if desired.

Serve with homemade bread. 

Easy Homemade Bread Recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Rise Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Servings: 24

Calories: 131 kcal

Ingredients

2 cups warm water 110 degrees F/45 degrees C
1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
5-6 cups flour

You can use all-purpose flour OR bread flour!

Instructions

In a large bowl, dissolve the 1 TBSP of the sugar in warm water and then stir in the yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam, about 5 minutes.
Mix the remaining sugar, salt, and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. The dough should be tacky and clean on the sides of the bowl except for a small part at the bottom. Too much flour added yields a dry loaf of bread, so if you’re worried that you added too much, add a bit more hot water, until you get the correct consistency.

Knead the dough for 7 minutes. Place in a well-oiled bowl, and turn the dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow rising until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
Punch the dough down. Knead for 1 minute and divide in half. Shape into loaves and place into two greased 9×5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until the dough has risen 1 inch above the pans.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30-40 minutes. Cool, brush with butter, and enjoy!

Recipe yields 2 standard loaves of bread (I used a mini loaf mold and had 6 mini loaves).

Happy Munching!