Cream of broccoli soup is one of my absolute favorites. In preparing for the storm this past weekend, I made a large batch of this paired with gruyere grilled cheese’s on my panini press. Honestly, it was one of the best meals I’ve had in a really long time. The best cream of broccoli soup I have ever had was at Ted’s restaurant. If you are a local from the Jeffersonville area, then you know about Ted’s. Each week my parents would bring us as a family to go out for a nice dinner. It was a huge special outing for us, and some of my fondest memories were in chatting with the previous owner, Gus. Typically I’d order my usual chicken fingers, but what my sister and I REALLY wanted to come  for was their cream of broccoli soup. When we would hear it was on the menu our eyes would light up. This soup comes together in about 30 minutes and reminds me so much of the soup I had at Ted’s Restaurant as a kid. It makes about 6 servings and can be stored for up to three days. I enjoy adding 1 cup milk and 1 cup cream for added creaminess. 

You will need: 

5 tablespoons butter

1 yellow onion chopped

4 cups chicken broth

8 cups (about 2 1/2 lbs) broccoli florets

3 tbsps all purpose flour

1 cup milk

1 cup cream

salt and pepper to taste

Begin by chopping up your broccoli into florettes and your onion into small diced pieces. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a medium stock pot over medium heat. Saute your onion about 3-5 minutes until tender. I always season as I go, so add in a little salt at this stage. Add in your broccoli and broth and cover and simmer for about 10 minutes, until the broccoli turns bright green. If you have an immersion blender, blend up the soup. If you don’t, work in batches and blend your soup in a blender, making sure the steam has a way to escape. In a small saucepan melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium low heat. Stir in your flour and add the milk and cream. Stir until thick and bubbly and add into your blended smooth soup. This soup is a staple with my husband and I in the winter months. It’s so simple and so quick but tastes amazing. I really like to use a heavy hand of salt with this soup, as I think it tastes better. Stay warm and enjoy!