Join Me in My Addiction!

Thank you for visiting my blog...and for allowing me to share with you my addiction. I love to collect recipes. I love to read cookbooks. I have been collecting recipes for as long as I can remember, and on any given day there are one or two (or more!) cookbooks residing on my nightstand!

This blog is chronicling my adventure as I fulfill my resolution of trying (at least) one new recipe each week. I hope that you enjoy!

I invite you to join me in my journey, simply by clicking the "Join this Site" link below. And please feel free to comment on any of the recipes, and pin away. Thanks, I look forward to sharing with you!

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Broccoli Cheddar Soup - Slow Cooker Thursday

Hello friends, welcome to this week's Slow Cooker Thursday.  You know that I've been making a lot of soups on my slow cooking adventures, and a Broccoli Cheddar soup has been one that I have been wanting to make for a while.   I just love Broccoli Cheddar soup, and have always loved when my readers have shared their recipes with me.  I took a lot of reads though previous editions of the Scrumptious Sunday Link Party and checked out the different recipes that were shared.  I settled on this recipe from the StoneGable blog for Crock Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup.  Here is my version:

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

This soup is delicious, especially with the crunchy bacon on top
6 cups fresh broccoli, washed and roughly chopped
2 tablespoons oil
1 medium-sized onion, chopped
1 large garlic clove, minced
1 cup carrots, peeled and shredded
4 cups chicken stock (I used organic)
1/4 cup flour
2 cups milk (I used a combination of homogenized milk, 1% milk and cream)
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
 4 cups old cheddar cheese,  shredded
5-6 slices of bacon

Place chopped broccoli into the slow cooker (sorry, did anyone else just have a little Chopping Broccoli pop in your head?! LOL)

In a large skillet, heat the oil and add the onions.  Cook the onions on  medium-low, about 5 minutes (or until soft).  Add the carrots and garlic and cook for another 3-4 minutes.  Empty the contents of the skillet into the slow cooker.

Pour the chicken stock into the slow cooker, add pepper (to taste).  Stir well, cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours.

After 3-4 hours, remove 2-3 cups of the cooked vegetables.(try to scoop mostly broccoli) - allow to cool slightly and chop into small pieces.  Set aside.

Create a roux with the milk and flour.  Whisk or shake well.  Pour into the slow cooker.  Add the nutmeg.  Cover and cook on high for 30-45 minutes, until thickened.

Once thickened, add 3 1/2 cups of cheddar cheese.  Cover and cook until the cheese is melted (this won't take long).

Using a food processor or blender, blend the soup (in batches) until smooth.  Add the reserved chopped vegetables and stir.  Cover and allow the soup to get hot again after blending.

While the soup is heating, cook your bacon (original recipe called for pancetta).  Cook until crisp.  Cool and crumble.

Serve the soup topped with shredded cheese and crispy bacon.

VERDICT:
"One Trillion Thousand Thumbs Up" - our 5 year old's reaction to the soup.  It was pretty darn good.  I felt it was more work that I expected (especially trying to juggle a toddler while making it) - but it was pretty tasty.  My hubby and the toddler also gobbled it up (the toddler had two toddler-sized servings, two days in a row!). 

15 comments:

  1. Hi there, I read your blog like every week. Your writing style
    is awesome, keep up the good work!
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  2. This looks so good. Always looking for a great soup recipe and love that you make it in the crockpot. New follower, saw you on Tuesday Talent Show!

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  3. We're going to have to add that to our Slow-Cooker list! Thanks for linking to Must Try Monday...

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  4. Thanks for coming back to Must Try Monday! Soooo good to see you :). I think your soup looks delicious! Thanks for sharing at Must Try Monday.

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  5. Yummy! I'm looking for another broccoli cheddar soup to try out. I love that you did yours in the crockpot. I'll be pinning this and sharing it on my Facebook page. Thanks for sharing on Marvelous Mondays!

    Julie @ This Gal Cooks

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  6. Yum. This is perfect for our cold weather. Cannot wait to make it. Thanks for sharing.

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  7. This is a great Slow Cooker recipe, we just love Broccoli Cheddar Soup. Hope you have a fantastic week and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

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  8. Looks delicious. I love using my crock pot for soups! Thank you for sharing with Foodie Friends Friday. Hope you come back this week for another great party. Please our link to FFF in your recipe. Or come grab our button to add to the recipe.

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  9. Wow, broccoli and cheddar soup is one of my very favorites. My son even likes broccoli, too. I'm so grateful you've shared a slow cooker recipe for it. Thank you! If you haven't already, I'd love if you'd come join my How To Tuesday link party, too.

    http://housewifehowtos.com/link-party-2/how-to-tuesday-link-party-11/

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  10. Just made this... just letting it stay warm in the crock pot.... had a taste... O M G...... YUM !!! VERY EASY TO MAKE, i used my hand "wand chopper" right in the pot..easy as pie

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  11. This sounds amazing! I would love this on a cool winter evening! Thanks for the recipe!

    Rafflecopter Name is Anne Taylor

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  12. Yum! This is one of my favourite kinds of soups!

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  13. OOOOH I have an excess of amount of broccoli in my fridge!

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