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<\/p>\nI’m going to argue that broccoli cheddar soup is best made to order. While many soups and stews get more complex and enticing after a day or so in the refrigerator, I don’t find that to be true when it comes to soup of the broccoli variety. Am I alone here? The good news is this version couldn’t be simpler. It\u2019s quick to make and perfect for those times when you need something with a serious nutritional punch. The soup gets a bit of an unexpected twist by topping it with golden, crunchy, mustardy croutons. Which you can skip, but I wouldn’t.<\/p>\n
One of the things you notice when you look at a lot of the broccoli cheddar soup recipes out there is the stunning<\/em> amount of dairy in them. There is often so much milk, heavy cream and grated cheese that the soup is nearly white in color. I totally get it, if you\u2019re trying to make a version styled after Panera\u2019s Broccoli Cheddar Soup (and it seems like a lot of people are), you\u2019ll likely go that route. The Panera Copycat Broccoli Cheddar Soup recipes tend to have a ratio of more cream\/milk than broth and multiple cups of grated cheese. I\u2019m going to argue you don\u2019t need all that. You can make a creamy, wonderful broccoli cheese soup with a fraction of the dairy, a good blender, and a couple techniques to keep things creamy, bright, and smooth.<\/p>\n Broccoli (and your broccoli soup) can turn a sad, dull, unappetizing green color when over cooked. For this soup you\u2019ll cook it until bright and tender. Keep an eye on things is my advice on this front.<\/p>\n One of the most common problems cooks run into when they make broccoli cheddar soup is a gritty or grainy texture. Your soup may become grainy if the cheese or dairy curdles. With a recipe like the one that follow you shouldn\u2019t have trouble because the cheese is added as a finishing component, off heat. But to avoid \u201cbreaking\u201d the dairy while reheating (or with other dairy-rich soups), take it low and slow. Heating the pot over medium-low and avoiding a boil. Aside from the croutons, this soup likes crusty, toasted walnut bread, or olive bread. It likes a good sheep feta in place of cheddar if that’s what you happen to have on hand, or a kiss of harissa whisked into a bit of olive oil. I know people like to pair broccoli with blue cheese. Personally, I find that to be over-powering, but if you really love blue cheese, it might be another direction to explore. A finishing drizzle of chile oil or a citrus olive oil is always welcome. If you have any other ideas, let me hear them – I make this soup often enough that I need fresh angles to work!<\/p>\n I don\u2019t think you need much more than big shards of the mustard croutons included in the recipe, no bread bowl needed. Lol. That said,\u00a0 <\/span>but you can certainly take other approaches or layer up! A poached egg would be a way to make a meal of things. Or a simple quesadilla, grilled cheese or egg salad sandwich<\/a> on the side. Or, something like this TLT<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Poke around the archives for more broccoli recipes<\/a> and inspiration. There are a lot of great recipes from past years worth revisiting. I love a broccoli-centric version of this vegetable stir-fry<\/a>, this double broccoli quinoa<\/a>, this orzo super salad<\/a>, and this is another broccoli soup with coconut milk<\/a> is another favorite. There are also a bunch of simple, creamy, blended soups in the archives! Or browse all the soups<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Continue reading Broccoli Cheddar Soup<\/a> on 101 Cookbooks<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I’m going to argue that broccoli cheddar soup is best made to order. While many soups and stews get more complex and enticing after a day or so in the refrigerator, I don’t find that to be true when it … Continue reading Key Ingredients for Good Broccoli Cheddar Soup<\/span><\/h2>\n
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![\"Broccoli](\"https:\/\/images.101cookbooks.com\/BROCCOLI-CHEDDAR-SOUP-RECIPE-22-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nTroubleshooting: How Do You Keep Broccoli a Vibrant Green?<\/h2>\n
Troubleshooting: Why is My Broccoli Cheddar Soup So Grainy?<\/h2>\n
![\"Broccoli](\"https:\/\/images.101cookbooks.com\/BROCCOLI-CHEDDAR-SOUP-RECIPE-22-3.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBroccoli Cheddar Soup: Topping Ideas<\/h2>\n
What to serve with Broccoli Cheddar Soup<\/span><\/h2>\n
More Broccoli Recipes & Ideas<\/h2>\n
![\"Broccoli](\"https:\/\/images.101cookbooks.com\/BROCCOLI-CHEDDAR-SOUP-RECIPE-22-4.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMore Creamy Soups<\/span><\/h2>\n
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