Happy Sunday Evening!!! (Cream of Broccoli Soup)

It has been a great day so far!!  My car isn't fixed yet,  but I am driving the mini van until it is.  Hopefully by tomorrow!!!   I just finished making the cream of broccoli soup and it is simmering on the stove..  you just have to be careful and stir it often.  It smells really good,  and I took note of the amounts that I used for each ingredient.

Cream of Broccoli Soup or Broccoli Cheese Soup

2Tbsp butter
6Tbsp olive oil
1 small onion chopped fine
1 clove garlic, minced
8Tbsp all purpose flour
1 head fresh broccoli cut into florets or 1 16oz pkg frozen broccoli
1c. vegetable broth
1c. water
8oz 2% reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese shredded
salt
pepper
skim milk

Cook the broccoli with salt and pepper in the vegetable broth and water until tender.  Strain and keep the broth, water mixture. Set broccoli aside.  Melt the butter with the olive oil in a large stockpot,  add the chopped onion and saute for about 2 to 3 minutes until it is soft and translucent, season with salt and pepper, add the garlic and cook for a minute.  Add the flour 1 Tbsp at a time stirring well after each and let cook over medium heat for a couple minutes.  While the flour is cooking measure the broth and add enough skim milk to make 8 cups.   Whisk in the broth/milk mixture slowly so that lumps don't form.  Keep whisking and cook for about 5 to 10 minutes over medium heat until it starts to thicken,  with a wooden spoon stir the cheese into the mixture,  keep stirring until the cheese is completely melted,  add the broccoli and stir well.  Let simmer for about 10 minutes over low heat stirring occasionally.  Serve with a salad and crusty bread.

The soup simmering happily on the stove!!

I used to make this without the cheese,  but since we don't eat meat much I added the cheese for the protein.