Broccoli Cheese and Potato Soup

I have been making potato soup since I was about 12.  It was probably the first from scratch dish I learned how to make.  It is so incredibly easy that it is probably one of the best dishes to learn first.  I'm not sure if my first attempt was really that good.  I do remember everyone raving about it.  I am sure it was alright, but as the years have passed I have learned different ways to spice it up and bump the flavor more than just the basics salt, pepper, butter, milk, and potatoes :)

Broccoli, Cheese, and Potato Soup
1 small onion, diced
2-3 medium carrots, diced
1 TBS minced garlic
2 TBS butter
2 TBS flour
2-1/2 cups fat free chicken broth
1 cup fat free milk
2 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced small
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
16 oz frozen chopped broccoli
2 cups reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese

• In a large soup pot melt the butter over medium-high heat
• Add carrots and onion and saute for about 5 minutes or until soft
• Add garlic and saute for about 1 minute
• Add flour, salt, and pepper to pot stirring constantly and cook for about 2 minutes
• Add chicken broth, milk, and potatoes then bring to a boil
• Reduce heat to low, cover and cook for about 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender
• Add broccoli and parmesan cheese then stir well
• Continue to cook uncovered for about 5 minutes or until broccoli is heated through
• Add cheddar cheese and remove from heat
• Use an immersion blender for about 1-2 minutes to reach the desired consistency.  You could also take a couple of cups out and use a blender if you do not have an immersion blender

Serve with a nice piece of crusty bread and you are good to go!  I've made this with ham, without potato, without broccoli, with bacon...the possibilities are endless.  It's just comfort in a bowl.  Yum!

Below is the nutritional value per serving.  This recipe yields approximately 8 servings.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 302 g

Amount Per Serving

Calories  247 Calories from Fat  93

% Daily Value*

Total Fat  10.4g 16%

Saturated Fat  6.0g 30%

Trans Fat  0.0g

Cholesterol  31mg 10%

Sodium  729mg 30%

Total Carbohydrates  24.6g 8%

Dietary Fiber  4.6g 18%

Sugars  4.8g

Protein  15.3g

Vitamin A 72% • Vitamin C 71% Calcium 36% • Iron 7%

Nutrition Grade B

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

Nutritional Analysis

Good points

• High in calcium
• Very high in vitamin A
• Very high in vitamin C

Bad points

• High in saturated fat
• High in sodium