Best Cream of Broccoli Soup

Broccoli is one of the vegetables that look good and tastes good. The vibrant green color of broccoli and its perfect-sized florets make it a favorite vegetable for many. It also takes less time to cook, so you can put it on any dish. Why not try the cream of broccoli soup? It is served in most restaurants, and now you can make it in your kitchen with this easy recipe.

Ingredients

• Broccoli – 1, medium
• Water – 3 cups
• Salt – ½ teaspoon
• Butter – 2 tablespoons
• Garlic cloves – 2, chopped
• Onions – ¼ cup, chopped
• All-purpose flour – 1 tablespoon
• Vegetable stock – 1.5 cups
• Whole milk – 1.5 cups
• Dry oregano – ½ teaspoon
• Ground nutmeg – 1 pinch
• Black pepper – ½ teaspoon; crushed
• Heavy cream – 1 tablespoon

Cooking instructions

Step 1

Blanch the broccoli florets. First, break the broccoli into small florets. You can also chop them. Heat the water and add some salt. Bring to a boil. Turn off the heat and add broccoli florets. Blanch for 20 seconds and drain broccoli. Keeps a few florets for garnishing.

Step 2

Take a saucepan and put butter. Add garlic and onions and saute till they become tender. Add flour and saute for 2 minutes.

Step 3

Add broccoli and mix well. Then add water and vegetable stock. Mix and cover the pan. Simmer for 7 minutes or till broccoli is cooked.

Step 4

Blend the soup mixture using a blender. You will get a smooth puree.

Step 5

Heat the milk in a pot. Add it to the soup puree. Then simmer on low heat.

Step 6

Sprinkle dried oregano, nutmeg, and black pepper.

Step 7

Add heavy cream on top.

Step 8

Pour the soup into a nice bowl and garnish it with broccoli florets that you had kept aside. Serve it hot with toast, a sandwich, or salad.

Why blanching is done?

When you cook vegetables like broccoli, you must do this process. Blanching prevents loss of texture, flavor, and color. It also removes dirt and microorganisms. It will retain the color of vegetables as well.

Storing

To store the soup you should put it in the refrigerator quickly. First, let it be at room temperature. Then put it in an airtight container before refrigerating it. You can store it there for 3 to 4 days.

Tips

• Use both stem and crowns of broccoli to get the most health benefits and reduce waste.
• Use water instead of broth.
• Use Italian seasoning, that is, a blend of thyme and rosemary.
• Add croutons or cheese for variation
• You can squeeze in some lemon juice too.
• Don't overcook the broccoli as it may result in a loss of nutrients.
• You can add potatoes for a creamier version of the soup.

Health benefits

• It is good for the heart as it reduces cholesterol levels and improves blood pressure.
• It has neuroprotective effects that lower the risk of age-related brain problems.
• It contains antioxidants that improve the immune system.
• Broccoli is a powerhouse of nutrients and is a good source of fibre which supports gut health.

It only takes about half an hour to make this soup. So, you can try them out on busy weak nights. The hot creamy soup is also a perfect dish for a rainy day. You will like it when you are ill as it's light. It's packed with nutrition, so you will feel stronger on sick days. You can have it as an afternoon snack or brunch along with your favorite salad or sandwich.