[vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid grid_id="vc_gid:1706078621641-54b046c2-7508-0" include="1466,1465,1467"][vc_column_text single_style=""]It’s my favorite season…soup season! Well actually..I love everything about soup even in the middle of summer but this one is a hearty keep me warm all night soup! <!--more-->I woke up this morning to a text from my bestie who is struggling and todays harder than normal so my natural reaction is “I’m coming over and I will bring food”. Mentally thinking the whole time she will starve if I don’t feed her! I suppose it’s not a terrible trait to have. Let me background this, this same friend once text me “I love you more then a Panera tuna sandwich” so knowing I can copycat make her next favorite soup I went straight to the store to get a fresh 12 oz bag or broccoli and a small container of half and half. The beauty is this is so easy to make and contains such few ingredients! Plus there is a perfect amount left for her to still have lunch tomorrow! At least my mind will sleep better knowing she had a home cooked meal.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text single_style=""]On to the main show, Broccoli cheddar soup so simple to make and always hits the comfort spot. It’s broccoli, carrots, flour, chicken broth, half and half and of course cheddar cheese. It is so filling in itself but you can also pair it with a side salad and or some delicious toasted garlic ciabatta bread.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid grid_id="vc_gid:1706078621642-6e7984a6-b003-3" include="1468,1469,1470"][vc_column_text single_style=""]<strong>Ingredients</strong>
1 Tbsp butter
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup salted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups half and half
12 oz fresh broccoli florets
1 small snack bag carrots (2 whole carrots, peeled and chopped)
1/4 TSP paprika
1/4 TSP garlic salt
1/2 TSP regular mustard
1/4 TSP black pepper
2 cups cheddar cheese (1 bag)[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid grid_id="vc_gid:1706078621642-7f07bf5e-b2c2-9" include="1472,1471,1473"][vc_column_text single_style=""]<strong>Instructions</strong>
<ol>
 	<li>Add 1 Tbsp butter to <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U1OCPWQ?_encoding=UTF8&amp;psc=1&amp;linkCode=sl1&amp;tag=loveforthysel-20&amp;linkId=8298bb4aa21ad15cc935039b214948de&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dutch Oven</a></li>
 	<li>Slowly pour in a cup of chicken broth, keep whisking. Continue with remaining chicken broth and add half and half. Pour slowly and keep whisking. You want ensure you remove all lumps, as this cooks for about a minute or two just keep whisking.</li>
 	<li>Add broccoli and carrots, stir to combine. Add paprika, garlic salt, mustard. Reduce heat and simmer about 10-15 minutes or until broccoli and carrots are soft and it begins to thicken. You can add more chicken broth or half and half if it becomes to think.
Blend soup with a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-KHB2561CU-5-Speed-Hand-Blender/dp/B005QIYKVG?crid=3IVRXRAVHE2YD&amp;keywords=kitchen+aid+immersion+blender+handheld+kitchenaid&amp;qid=1706052395&amp;sprefix=kitchen+aid+im,aps,100&amp;sr=8-21&amp;ufe=app_do:amzn1.fos.f5122f16-c3e8-4386-bf32-63e904010ad0&amp;linkCode=sl1&amp;tag=loveforthysel-20&amp;linkId=f9c5291834f165720909345e3cc9660d&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hand blender</a> until desired texture is reached. You can also use a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-TB201-BlendSense-Technology-Smoothies/dp/B0CDCTBMKX?crid=2NAIARLPSMUHH&amp;keywords=ninja+blenders&amp;qid=1706052544&amp;sprefix=ninja,aps,106&amp;sr=8-1-spons&amp;sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&amp;psc=1&amp;linkCode=sl1&amp;tag=loveforthysel-20&amp;linkId=41695cd6b9f0ab1ac30909ed6aedfab6&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">regular blender</a> just use caution when transferring as the mixture is hot.</li>
 	<li>Blend soup until desired texture is reached, I use an immersion blender but a standard blender is an option too. Use caution transferring as the mixture is hot.</li>
 	<li>Turn heat off and keep the pot on the stove. Add grated cheddar cheese a sprinkle at a time, again here we’re going to keep stirring, you want the cheese to evenly melt. My favorite part, taste test and season with any additional salt or pepper.</li>
 	<li>Serve hot with toasted garlic ciabatta, French bread or sour dough, all hard breads go fantastic with this. Crack some fresh black pepper and sprinkle some shredded cheese on top and Enjoy!</li>
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