Soup series: Broccoli Cheddar Soup

I had my first Broccoli Cheddar yummy soup at Panera Bread. OMG, the thick soup just melted in my mouth and I fell in love with it. One year later, I have attempted to prepare it at home. This is the recipe I have followed. Tasty and also so filling. It is more than a simple soup.

Preparation and cooking time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

• Broccoli
• Cheddar cheese
• Milk-Water 50-50 (half n half) - 1 cup
• Ghee/ Butter - 1/4 cup
• Garlic powder (or garlic paste)
• Chopped carrot - 1
• Chopped onion - 1/2
• Maida/ All-purpose-flour - 4 spoons
• Assorted vegetables boiled - 1 carrot, 1 potato, 3 broccoli
• Pepper powder
• Salt

Preparation:

• Take a cooking pan, pour 2 spoons of ghee/ butter and saute the finely chopped onions. Saute till it becomes transparent and keep aside.
• Pour 5 spoons of ghee/ butter and let it melt. Add 4 spoons of maida/all purpose flour and stir well. It should become a thick paste (roux).

• Add the half n half (milk-water) to the roux and stir well. 
• Mash the boiled vegetables.

• Add the mashed vegetables to the pan and continue to stir.
• In case the mix is very thick, add more milk-water and keep stirring for 5 mins.
• Add the chopped carrots, sauteed onions and chopped broccoli and stir well.
• Add salt, pepper powder, garlic powder/paste and stir well.
• Close it with a lid and let it cook for 10 mins.

• Blend the mix using a food blender.
• Add grated cheddar cheese, stir well and cook for another 2-3 mins.

Broccoli cheddar soup is ready. Have it with some potato chips or toasted bread. I love it with the chips. Yummy!