Comforting Broccoli Cheese Soup ~ #HelpingHands #SundaySupper!

Published November 25, 2012 | By Jen

On this post-Thanksgiving weekend, while many of us are spending time with loved ones with full bellies and happy hearts, there are others that are in the midst of a crisis that has only just begun.

Hurricane Sandy brought untold devastation to many in the Northeast in late October.

It’s hard to be thankful when so many are still suffering.

This week our #SundaySupper team has organized a #HelpingHands #SundaySupper, hosted by Liz of That Skinny Chick Can Bake, in an effort to bring continued attention to the victims of Hurricane Sandy. When we come together, we truly can make a difference.

If you are interested in making a charitable donation to assist the victims of Hurricane Sandy, the #SundaySupper team has chosen to promote two fantastic organizations that continue to focus on recovery (click on the photos below to be redirected to the organization websites):

In times of need, I often reach not only into my pocketbook, but into my kitchen as well. I’ve always said that food heals in a time of need. When friends experience hardship, I always feel the pull to get into the kitchen and cook. It’s one of those things that you can do for others that makes life a bit easier, if only by a little. Who wants to worry about cooking when they’re in the middle of a crisis?

I find that I tend to focus on “comfort foods” when I’m cooking for others…casseroles, soups, or easy family dishes that can be heated up in a hurry, without a lot of preparation.

When deciding what to prepare for today’s #HelpingHands #SundaySupper, my mind immediately went to something warm and comforting: soup. And not just any soup, y’all. But, one of my favorites…Broccoli Cheese Soup.

This Broccoli Cheese Soup, originally found on The Comfort of Cooking, is easy to prepare, is delicious, and is full of comfort. We served ours in bread bowls, but this soup can easily be stored in a reheatable container and taken to a loved one during a time of need.

The next time you’re looking to make something warm and comforting, I hope you’ll reach for a bowl full of this…

Broccoli Cheese Soup

Ingredients

5 Tbs. unsalted butter, divided
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup flour
2 1/2 cups half and half
4 cups chicken stock
4 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen), chopped small
1 cup grated carrot
Salt and pepper, to taste
Pinch of nutmeg
8 oz. grated cheddar cheese (2 cups)

Instructions

Melt 1 Tbs. of butter in a soup pot over medium heat. Saute the onion in the butter for 5-6 minutes, or until it is soft.

Add the other 4 Tbs. of butter and melt with the sauteed onions. Add the flour and whisk for 3-4 minutes, creating a roux. Once flour has cooked, slowly add the half and half, whisking constantly. Add the chicken stock and bring the entire mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes.

Add the broccoli, carrot, salt, pepper, and nutmeg to the soup. Continue to simmer the soup for 20-25 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender.

Remove the soup pot from the heat. Using an immersion blender, blend the soup to your desired consistency. (If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can use a regular blender and blend in batches) Return the soup pot and soup to the heat.

Over low heat, add the cheddar cheese to the soup. Melt the cheese, and simmer the soup for another 10 minutes. You can add extra half and half or milk to thin the soup to your desired consistency if needed.

This soup is thick, rich, and comforting.

It’s exactly the sort of thing one would want when they’re seeking comfort and warmth.

And since this soup is so easy to prepare, it’s a perfect dish to take to someone who needs a bit of love in the form of food.

What sort of dishes do you make for others to lend a #HelpingHand?

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Make sure you check out the other participants to see what they’ve made for today’s #HelpingHands #SundaySupper!

Breakfast and Brunch:

Orange Rolls from That Skinny Chick Can Bake!!!
12-Grain Buttermilk Pancake Mix from What Smells So Good
Cranberry Bread from Home Cooking Memories

Comforting Casseroles and Entrées:

Pork Chop Casserole from In the Kitchen with Audrey
Basic Lasagna from Fast Food 2 Fresh Food
Italian Sausage and White Bean Bake from Girlichef
Spanish Chicken with Chorizo and Potatoes from Crispy Bits n Burnt Ends
Turkey and Vegetable Pasta Bake from Gotta Get Baked
Baked Salmon with Cucumber Salad from The Urban Mrs.
Enchilada Pasta Casserole from Dinners Dishes and Desserts
Spaghetti Pizza Bake from Small Wallet Big Appetite
Gluten Free Spaghetti Squash with Pancetta from No One Likes Crumbley Cookies
Cabbage Koftas from Soni’s Food
Bowtie Marinara with Goat Cheese from Family Foodie

Warming Soups and Sides:

New England Clam Chowder from The Meltaways
Italian Wedding Soup from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Soul Warming Butternut Squash Soup from Cupcakes and Kale Chips
Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese “Croutons” from Damn Delicious
Corn Basil Handpies from Vintage Kitchen Notes
Manhattan Clam Chowder from Noshing with the Nolands
San Antonio Chicken Tortilla Bake from The Weekend Gourmet
Peruvian Steak and Potato Stir-fry from Hip Foodie Mom
Simple Southern Red Potato Salad from Mama Mommy Mom
Homemade Chicken Soup from Daddy Knows Less
New Orleans Red Beans and Rice for Those in Need from The Catholic Foodie
Sweet and Sassy Pineapple Stuffing from In the Kitchen with KP

Sweet Endings:

Pound Cake Loaf from Magnolia Days
Fall Apple Pie from Cravings of a Lunatic
Dairy-free Marble Cake {Marmorkuchen} from Galactopdx
Mini Dark Chocolate Cakes with Mint Chocolate Chip Icing from The Realistic Nutritionist
Orange Pound Cake from Basic n Delicious
Spicy Gingerbread with a Mocha Glaze from Daily Dish Recipes

Please join on us on Twitter for #SundaySupper throughout the day. We will meet at 7 PM EST for our weekly #SundaySupper live chat. All you have to do is follow the #SundaySupper hashtag, or you can follow us through TweetChat. We’d also love to feature your recipe ideas for #HelpingHands on our #SundaySupper Pinterest Board so we can share them with all of our followers.