Cream of Broccoli Soup

Recipe By : Pete
Serving Size : 4 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Soup

Amount Measure Ingredient — Preparation Method
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2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion — chopped
2 stalks celery — chopped
5 large garlic cloves — chopped
2 large broccoli stalks — flowerets removed
and reserved, stems chopped
1/2 cup flour
salt — to taste
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
3 1/2 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup Madeira
4 cups half and half

In a large soup pot, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat, and in
them saute the onion, celery, garlic, and broccoli stem until the onion is
transluscent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the flour, salt, black pepper, cayenne
pepper, thyme, rosemary, and nutmeg and cook a few minutes more, stirring
frequently. Add the chicken stock, Madeira, and 4 or 5 of the broccoli
flowerets,
and stir to mix well. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and
simmer,
stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are very soft, about 30 minutes.
While the soup is simmering, steam the remaining broccoli flowerets over
boiling water until bright green and crisp tender, 7-10 minutes. Immediately
remove the flowerets from the steam and submerge in an ice water bath or place
under very cold running water until cool to the touch. Drain and set aside.
Once the vegetables in the soup are very soft, remove it from the heat and
puree it, either in batches in a food processor or blender, or in the pot using
an immersion blender, until very smooth. (Always be careful when working with
hot
liquids.) Return the pot to the heat and add the half and half and steamed
broccoli flowerets, stirring well. Simmer the soup, stirring occasionally, for
another 10 minutes. Just before serving, add a pinch more of each of the herbs
and a dash of Madeira, if desired. Serve in heated bowls.

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Per serving: 593 Calories; 42g Fat (67% calories from fat); 15g Protein; 32g
Carbohydrate; 105mg Cholesterol; 874mg Sodium

Popularity: 3% [?]