Broccoli Soup

Soups are not only for winters! Their purpose is not only keep you warm but also to get the nutritions that your body needs. They contain a rich source of vitamins and minerals that support your immune system and will help you stay healthy. Along with the lentil soup, broccoli soup is my favorite soup too because it’s an easy way to increase the vegetable intake and it’s cheap to make. Either as a main dish or a starter this tasty soup is super easy to cook in a short time. This simple broccoli soup recipe is on the table in under 30 minutes.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic clove, chopped
• 250g/9oz broccoli florets or 1 head of broccoli
• 250ml/8¾fl oz chicken or vegetable stock
• Salt, paprika and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup milk (I sometimes use coconut or almond milk)

TO SERVE

• Plenty of toast or shredded cheese as desired

METHOD:

1. Wash the broccoli with water or a vinegar solution then roughly cut into pieces including stems.
2. Heat the oil in a saucepan and sauté the onion and garlic for about 1-2 minutes until soften
3. Add the broccoli and continue cooking for another 5 min
4. Pour the chicken or vegetable stock into the pan. Bring to the boil and reduce the heat and simmer gently for 10-12 minutes, until the broccoli is tender.
5. Season with salt, paprika and freshly ground black pepper
6. With a hand mixer or in a blender, puree the mixture until smooth.
7. Add milk and reheat for 2- 3 minutes
8. Ladle the soup into serving bowls then topped with plenty of toast or cheese

I love to serve this soup sometimes with shredded cheese or even with mascarpone but mostly with toast. I use buttered toast, garlic bread or spread the tomato/red pepper paste on a toast, cut it into small pieces and cook it in the oven until it gets crispy. If I have some in the fridge I also add some stalks of celery or spinach too. Rather than milk you can use cream if you like, when you ladle the soup into serving bowls just drizzle the cream.

Not only does this broccoli soup have a lovely, striking colour but it also has a deliciously, moreish taste. It is a healthy dish that will fill you up, give you a huge boost of vitamins and minerals, and make your taste buds do a little happy dance. If all that wasn’t enough its also suitable for vegetarians and gluten free.