Brrrrr! Broccoli Cheddar Soup

We are hunkered down.  Everyone is home and we are NOT going out until this blizzard stops blowing.  The wind is blowing like crazy but inside it is nice & warm.  I know my family & tonight they are going to be looking for some warm yummy food.  So I am baking bread & making soup for supper.  Well I have that planned & they girls will be making it.   Ha!

This Happy Honey Wheat Bread recipe is delicious! 

Don’t feel guilty if you have to have a piece right out of the oven with lots of butter & cinnamon/sugar sprinkled on it.

Tonight’s soup will be . . .

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

4 cups diced broccoli

1/2 tsp basil

1/4 tsp thyme

1/4 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup chopped onion

4 cups chicken broth

1/3 cup cornstarch

2 cups instant dry milk

2-3 cups grated cheddar cheese

(Optional:  2 cups diced chicken and 1 cup dry brown rice)

Chop up broccoli & cook until tender in 2 cups of water.  Add spices & onion as the broccoli is cooking.  Mix  4 cups of broth, cornstarch and milk powder in a separate bowl—you can do this in your blender if you want.  Combine with broccoli and cook until sauce is thickened.  Add 2 cups of cheese & stir until melted.  Additional cheese can be added to the top of the soup or in individual bowls.

If you want a higher protein meal you can add about 2 cups of cooked diced chicken.  I also have a large portion of my family that claims this soup needs brown rice in it.  I cook the rice(1 cup) in 2 cups water while I am preparing the rest of the soup.  I add both chicken and rice to this recipe & it is perfect for a cold wintery day. 

What warm comfort food are you reaching for tonight?