Cheedar and Broccoli Soup with crostinis

To be honest, I am not a big fan of broccoli that has been OVER cooked.  Some folks have zero taste and will boil the bejesus out of their broccoli.  Weirdos...

Ingredients 

1 stick Garlic and herb Butter (or salted)

1 chopped Onion

4 tbsps garlic 

10oz bag shredded carrots

1/2 Cup Flour

4 Cups Chicken stock

1 Qt Heavy Cream

16 oz chopped Broccoli

16oz shredded Cheese (I used mild)

1 tsp Paprika

1 tsp Nutmeg

Seasoning salt and Pepper to taste 

Crostini’s

French bread in 1/4” slices

Olive oil to drizzle

Garlic powder

Stuff you will need 

Dutch oven with lid 

Stiring spoon

Cutting board 

Sharp knife 

Optional:

Box grater

Food processor with grating excessory

Directions

Preheat oven to 350

Place French bread on foil lined baking sheet and brush or lightly drizzle olive oil over top of bread

Sprinkle on garlic powder and bake til toasted to your liking (about 15-20mins)

Melt Butter in a large pot over medium heat 

Add chopped onion and all seasonings

Cook down onions til translucent then add garlic 

Add carrots and stir til fragrant, toss in flour and mix, let cook a few mins to remove flour taste and form a roux, pour in chicken broth and heavy cream

Stirring til it comes to a light simmer

Fold in broccoli, cover and let cook 15 mins

Occasionally Scraping the bottom of the pan so nothing burns

Remove lid and mix in cheese til smooth

Taste and add more seasonings if needed

PRO TIP: I have never seen a bag of matchstick carrots.  If you have the patience, you can cut your own matchstick carrots.  If you have no patience, get out your box grater and go to town on the carrots... or... get out your food processor and grate them that way.  Yes it is quicker,  but is the clean up worth it?

2nd PRO TIP: it is less expensive to grate your own cheese.  Also, the store bought pre-shredded cheese has some sort of additive, like flour, so that the shredded cheese stays shredded.  Plus, if your are going to shred the carrots... your going to have the box grater out to start with.  Or..  your food processor... again... is the clean up worth it?