Brocolli Cheddar Soup

By MissHeather

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• coarsely ground pepper
• 2 cups 2% low-fat milk
• 14 ounces can chicken broth
• 1 1/2 pounds broccoli, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Preparation

Step 1

In 4 quart saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook until golden, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in flour, salt, thyme, nutmeg, and 1/4 tsp pepper; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently.

Gradually stir in milk, broth and 1 1/2 cups water. Add broccoli and heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until broccoli is tender.

In blender on low speed, with centre part of cover removed to allow steam to escape blend broccoli mixture in small batches ;until very smooth. Pour pureed soup into large bowl after each batch.

Return soup to saucepan; heat to boiling over high heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, stir in cheese until melted and smooth. Sprinkle each serving with pepper.