Heartwarming Broccoli Soup
“Happiness cannot be travelled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude."
As the nights draw in ever so faster and days shorten through fading shades of autumnal splendour, there is something special in a warm comfort of heartwarming soup. Many caring hands: generations of mothers and grandmothers - love personified. Even those who don't usually consider themselves soup loving people - are won over.
There is a beauty in the whole process: the connection, the love and inspiration and the creation.
Broccoli and Cheddar Soup
In the interest of simplicity and putting that personal touch we'll be using the amount as pure guidance, for each increase/decrease in the amount used will bring something uniquely yours:
Wash and cut two small broccoli heads into small chunks. You can slice the stalks as well. Boil some water.
Gently sauté about 5 sliced spring onions in one spoon of olive oil and one level spoon of unsalted butter. Give them at least five minutes on a medium heat.
Pop the broccoli into boiling water for three minutes. Remove them from the heat and rinse with ice cold water to stop them from cooking further and retaining that gorgeous, luscious deep green colour.
Add one full table spoon of flour to onions and give them a gentle fry for further three to four minutes, still over medium heat, stirring in circular motions with a wooden spoon.
Add about 600 ml of hot vegetable stock, gradually, and stir as you do it. Add the broccoli and boil gently for another 10 minutes, having seasoned with sea salt and freshly milled black pepper.
Add a handful of grated mature or vintage cheddar cheese. Or use more if you like. And cook on a very low heat for no more than five more minutes.
After that you are ready to serve. I garnish mine with more cheddar cheese and some extra black pepper. Take a deep breath, relax and enjoy.
Simple and pure. Thanks to ever inspiring chef Tim Vidra for the reminder and the idea, and my family and friends for caring.
Yummy, Kat!
ReplyDeleteYes, it's Vixy, and I've missed you. I left you a message on Skype!
You are truly an inspiration.
Imagine, I saw the comment. Thank you (some five months late in responding), but sincerely. I am honoured to know you.
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