Broccoli is considered a powerhouse of nutrition. Despite this nutritional density, green color and tree like florets it is one of the most kid ‘fiendly’ foods on the planet! I thought I’d come up with a good solution by consuming them en masse during pregnancy. This worked in the early weaning stages, my son loved pureed broccoli. Sadly, it no longer goes down as well. This broccoli cheddar soup was my attempt to entice my son into loving broccoli again! I think it worked, thanks to the help of cheddar cheese and a few resident play figures. It is a thick, creamy blend of broccoli, onion, cheddar and cream. Not only is it kid friendly but also serves well as a light, keto friendly (minus the bread) lunch or dinner on Meatless Monday!
Does Broccoli Soup Cause Gas
It is not the soup as such that causes gas but rather the fact that broccoli contains Glucosinolates (plants natural pesticide or defense mechanism), which also account for their distinctive taste. These can be reduced when boiled, rather than microwaved or steamed which have little effect on them. Like other cruciferous veggies (cabbage, cauliflower) they are often avoided because of their gas inducing properties. According to some experts gas is caused by their fiber content, and carbohydrate called raffinose. Our bodies do not have the necessary enzymes to break these down, resulting in gas. One method for reducing gas is by cooking broccoli, when cooked it is easier for the body to digest. Apart from serving boiled broccoli as a side dish, another great boiled recipe is to make broccoli soup.
How to Make Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Techniques for preparing the soup may vary, I use my preferred method for making soups, fry then simmer. I first steam the broccoli then fry in butter with onion, sometimes a bit of garlic, and pepper and simmer in cream. The onions give it a rich thick texture and pairs very well with the cheddar cheese.
This broccoli soup recipe is intended to be a kid friendly one so I did not use as much spice. I often season this soup with a pinch of paprika for added taste. I find a little nutmeg also goes well with cream.
Dairy free alternatives without cream include almond milk, coconut cream or vegetable stock. I add cheddar cheese just after boiling. Allow to melt then remove from stove. I also top the soup with cheddar blocks.
An express method for making broccoli soup is to boil broccoli then add cream and spices and blend. Another method of creaming broccoli soup is to mash broccoli with a potato masher instead of using a blender. For my fussy toddler I make sure everything is finely chopped and blended smooth, the less pieces there are to pick out- the less fuss there is.
Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe
Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 medium head of broccoli
- ½ onion
- ½ clove garlic
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 ½ cups cream
- ½ cup of water (from boiling broccoli)
- Salt
- Pepper
- Half a cup of cheddar cheese
- Grated Cheddar or blocks for garnishing
Instructions:
- Wash and prepare Broccoli. Cut into smaller florets.
- Steam until slightly tender
- Melt butter on medium heat.
- Fry finely slice onions, when slightly brown add garlic and steamed broccoli. Fry until soft. Add salt and pepper. Add water. Bring to boil.
- Add cream. Bring to boil.
- Add cheddar cheese. Once cheese is melted, blend to form a thick, smooth soup.
- Top with cheddar blocks, serve warm.
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How to Store Broccoli Cheddar Soup
This soup stores well in the fridge for a day or two, maximum. It can also be frozen. In this case, don’t add cheddar topping to the soup if you are making a large batch of soup. Alternatively don’t add any cheddar at all. It will have a fresher taste if you add the cheese when the soup is reheated.
What to Serve with Broccoli Soup
This soup can be enjoyed on its own, as a low carb or keto friendly meal. For my toddler I added sour dough dippers.
Broccoli Soup for Carnivores
Top with crispy bacon to make this soup more palatable to meat lovers.