Fotheringham's Cheesy Broccoli Soup

Serves 3 – 4
Time: 30 minutes
2 cups chopped broccoli plus 1 cup small broccoli florettes
1 ½ cups chicken broth
1/8 teaspoon dried crushed Thyme
1 Tablespoon butter
2 Tablespoons flour
1 cup milk or light cream (I prefer cream)
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
¼ teaspoon salt
A dash of fresh ground pepper

Cook chopped broccoli with Thyme and 1 cup broth until tender.Cook florettes separately with remaining ½ cup broth.Whilst broccoli is cooking, melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add flour, salt, and pepper to melted butter to make a base (paste). Stir until blended and bubbly.
Add milk/cream all at once to the base. Cook and stir until mixture is thickened and bubbly, cover, stirring occasionally.In a blender, puree chopped broccoli and broth until smooth. Add to thickened milk mixture, stirring until well blended.Add cheese, stirring until cheese melts.Add broccoli florettes and broth to soup, add more milk if needed for desired consistency.

***This is a great soup to serve in bread bowls***

Posted by-Alisyn