Broccoli and Cheddar Soup

It was a pretty cold day yesterday and all I was craving was a hot bowl of soup to warm my chilled bones. I recently had a cream of broccoli soup at a local pub and as usual my obsessive compulsive behaviour pursuaded me to make a pot myself. I found this recipe in the first Looneyspoons cookbook, which I altered only slightly by adding more broccoli. I found the soup to be smooth and creamy without having to add any heavy cream. The recipes in these books are usually pretty good - simple, light but still loaded with flavor, perfect for your after work or school dinner.

1 cup chopped onions
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup chopped celery
2 1/2 cups chicken broth (low sodium)
4 cups broccoli florets (1 head of broccoli is good)
1 cup peeled and cubed potatoes (1 medium is good)
1/2 cup low fat sour cream
3/4 cup shredded old cheddar cheese
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp salt
4-5 dashes of hot pepper sauce

In a large saucepan add either non stick spray or 1 T olive oil. Add onions, garlic and celery. Cook and stir over medium heat until celery begins to soften (5min). Add broth, 3 cups of the broccoli and potatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 12 mins.

While soup is simmering steam the reserved (1 cup) broccoli unti tender. I microwaved it for 1 min and it was perfect. Set aside.

Transfer soup to a blender, working in batches and pulse on and off until sour is pureed but still sort of chunky. Return blended soup to pot over low heat.

Add steamed broccoli, pepper, thyme, worcestershire sauce, salt, hot pepper sauce, sour cream and cheese. Stir until smooth.

Serves 4-6