Creamy Low-fat Broccoli Soup

As promised, a creamy (healthy) broccoli soup to pair with a crusty bread (like a baguette!). Sometimes I don't know what to do with the frozen veggies in my freezer. We get in a veggie rut at times and stock up on broccoli, okra, and stirfry mix...and all that broccoli (while I love it) get bor-ing. So let's whip up a soup and mix up our veggie tonight!

Creamy Low-fat Broccoli Soup
Adapted from Everyday Food, April 2012
1 1/2 pounds of broccoli (frozen or fresh), cut in bite-sized pieces
4 TB butter or margarine
1 medium yellow onion, diced small
2 cloves of garlic, sliced thin
1/4 cup flour
4 cups low- or no-sodium chicken broth
1 cup water
Dash of crushed red pepper (optional, for a kick)
1/4 milk or cream (optional!)
Salt and pepper, to taste


Gadgets needed: medium pot, knife, wooden spoon, blender

1base In a medium pot, melt butter. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 7 minutes. Onion should soften. Then add flour and stir for 1 minute. While whisking, simultaneously add 3 cups broth and 1 cup water and bring to a boil over high. (Stop whisking.) Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, only whisking occasionally.

2green (If the broccoli is frozen, use a 2nd pot & 1/4 cup water to cook broccoli until hot but not tender. Transfer to the butter mixture after cooked. If it's fresh broccoli, carry on.) Add the broccoli and bring to a simmer. Cook until the broccoli is very tender, 20 minutes. (If you want a little kick, now's the time to add the crushed red pepper flakes.)

3blend it, baby Using a 1-cup measuring cup, scoop a few cups of the broccoli mixture into your blender at a time. Blend until smooth; take care not to burn yourself!! Once the mixture is pureed, return to your pot. 

4season Season with 2 pinches of salt, a dash of pepper; add more, to taste. If you'd like the soup thicker, add 1/4 cup milk or cream. If you'd rather it be thinner, add that extra cup of broth.


Serve with crusty bread, garnished with a sprinkle of smoked paprika, sesame seeds, or shredded cheese. Yum

There ya have it, a healthy and creative way to eat those veggies. Have a wonderful Saturday! We're off to the Farmer's Market.

Happy eating!
Laurel