Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup

By Rose Swartz April 28, 2023 34 mins read 105 Views

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Broccoli and baby spinach add green to this creamy, broccoli cheddar soup. It is a delicious and nutritious meal that's perfect for cold nights.

Table of Contents

If you are like me, then you automatically assume that soups with cream in them are unhealthy. It doesn't need to be this way. This dish's broccoli and spinach more than compensate for the creaminess of the half-n-half, cheddar cheese and other ingredients. You'll be happy to serve this broccoli cheddar soup once you realize the spinach and broccoli are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to vegetables. (Although there isn't any iceberg lettuce).

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Broccoli with cheese is a wonderful combination of flavors. This soup is amazing because of the creaminess.
The flavor of cheesy broccoli will make the entire family eat it.
This soup is packed with spinach and broccoli, which are both rich in nutrients.
It can be served as a complete meal. You can serve it as a meal on its own.

Is Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup Healthy?

This dish is packed with vegetables that are high in minerals, vitamins, and fiber. Olive oil is a good fat and coriander, paprika and antioxidants add flavor. Use low-fat milk in place of half-and-half if you'd like to make it even healthier. This will reduce the creaminess of the soup. You can use low-sodium stock instead and sprinkle the cheese on top of the soup after serving. You can control how much of the dish you want to consume.

Ingredients

When so many ingredients are available in the produce aisle, you know that it is a great meal.

2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 sticks of celery, sliced
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 head broccoli, cut into florets
2 cups baby spinach
2 tablespoons of flour
2 cups half-n-half
2 cups chicken stock
1 tsp of ground coriander
Ground paprika, 2 tsp
Salt and pepper
2 cups cheddar cheese

Instrucciones

Saute

Add the celery, carrots and onion to a large pot on MEDIUM-HIGH heat. Saute the onions for 3 to 5 minutes, until they are fragrant and slightly browned.

Add

Remove the pot from the heat, and add the flour. Pour in the milk, stir again and pour it back into the pot. Add the chicken stock along with the broccoli, spinach and coriander.

Simmer

Replace the pot on the stovetop. Cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Stir the mixture occasionally to avoid lumps forming at the bottom of your dish.

Purée

Add the cheddar cheese, and continue to simmer for one more minute. Salt and pepper can be added to taste. Puree the soup with a stick blender before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Healthy Crunchy quinoa Salad with Pistachios This quinoa is crunchy, sweet and has some Kefir. This salad is gluten-free, super healthy and quick to prepare.

Superfood Greek Yugurt Chicken Salad sandwich This healthy honey-mustard Greek Yogurt chicken salad sandwich contains superfoods and protein. This is a great, easy and portable lunch for adults or kids.

Keto Almond Flour Bread This low-carb keto almond flour bread is easy to make and will satisfy your cravings. It is packed with nutrients and flavor to satisfy your bread cravings.

FAQs

Can I double the recipe?

You can freeze and double the amount. (see below)

My soup is too thick. Can i still save it?

The soup gets thicker when it cools, but loosens up when heated. You can add more water or milk if it becomes too thick. The next time you cook it, lower the heat and keep the lid on.

Can I substitute cauliflower for broccoli?

Cauliflower can be substituted, but the result will be a soup with a different look and taste. It will also have fewer nutrients. Broccoli is an amazing superfood.

How to store Creamy Broccoli and Cheddar Soup

You can keep the soup in the refrigerator if you are planning to eat it within a few days. Let it cool down to room temperature, then place it in an airtight jar. You can store it for up to five days. It can be frozen for up to three months. You will need to allow some room in the container for the soup to expand when it freezes. To warm, do so over LOW-MEDIUM heat.

Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup

This creamy broccoli cheddar soup is full of nutrients and will warm you up on those cold winter nights.

Course Sup

American Cuisine

Prep time ten minute

Cook Time twenty minute

Servings servings

Calories 692 Kcal

Author Health and Fitness

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion diced
2 cloves garlic crushed
2 sticks celery chopped
2 sliced carrots
1 head broccoli cut into florets
2 cups Baby spinach
2 tbsp flour
2 cups half-n-half
2 cups chicken stock
1 tsp ground coriander
2 tsp ground paprika
taste salt and pepper
2 cups cheddar cheese

Instructions

Add the celery, carrots and onion to a large pot on MEDIUM-HIGH heat. Saute the onions for 3 to 5 minutes, until they are fragrant and slightly browned.
Remove the pot from the heat, and add the flour. Pour in the milk, then stir again. Add the broccoli, spinach and coriander to the stock.

Replace the pot on the stovetop. Cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Stir the mixture occasionally to avoid lumps forming at the bottom of the pan.
Add the cheddar cheese, and continue to simmer for another minute. Salt and pepper can be added to taste. Puree the soup with a stick blender before serving.

Notes

The soup gets thicker when it cools, but loosens up when heated. You can add more water or milk if it becomes too thick. Next time, you can cook the soup on a low heat and with a lid.
If you like, you can substitute cauliflower for broccoli. However, it will change the appearance and taste of the soup. Although cauliflower is good for you, substituting it with broccoli will reduce the nutritional value.

Nutrition

Carbohydrates: 31g

The post Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup first appeared on Food Faith Fitness.

References:

By: Foodfaithfitness
Title: Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Sourced From: www.foodfaithfitness.com/broccoli-cheddar-soup/
Published Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2023 16:08:16 +0000

Frequently Asked Questions

Is organic food better for us?

According to the Environmental Working Group's latest report on pesticide residues in foods, organic fruits and vegetables had nearly half the level of pesticides compared with non-organic versions. They discovered that organic apples contained eight more pesticides per gram than non-organic ones, while organic strawberries contained four times as many pesticides.

Studies have also shown that organic foods reduce the risk of mercury and lead poisoning. A study concluded that children who ate organic meat had 33% lower levels of blood lead than those who didn’t. A second study found that conventional fish should be avoided by pregnant women due to the high levels of mercury.

Organic food is generally safer than non-organic. Experts recommend that you choose fresh fruits and vegetables whenever possible to lower your chance of developing cancer or other diseases.

What are organic products good for skin?

Organic skincare products are made without synthetic chemicals such as parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, petrolatum, petroleum jelly, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulphate, talc, triclosan, titanium dioxide, triethanolamine, vitamin A palmitate, etc.

Organic skincare products do not contain artificial colours, fragrances or preservatives.

They are designed to promote healthy skin, prevent premature wrinkles, heal injuries after they happen, and support overall wellbeing.

These are some terms that you might see when looking for organic products

Paraben Free – These chemicals are used to preserve certain cosmetic products, but can cause serious health problems if taken in large amounts.
Fragrance-Free: The product is free of essential oils or fragrances.
Cruelty free - No animals were endangered during the manufacturing process.
Natural Ingredients - the ingredient is naturally derived from the plant or animal.
Vegetarian/Vegetarian- The ingredients are either vegan/vegetarian.
Gluten-Free is a label that indicates that no gluten was added to the product.
Non-Toxic: The product does not contain toxic substances, carcinogens or any other harmful compounds that could cause harm to your health.
Biodegradable - The product will eventually be broken down into harmless parts when it is disposed of.
Pesticide Free - No pesticides were used during the growing or harvesting processes.
GMO-Free is a declaration that the product does not contain genetically modified organisms.
Certified Organic refers to ingredients that were grown using methods that protect soil, water, air, wildlife and farmers.

Are organic meats better?

If you've been paying attention for any time, you probably already know the answer to this question. However, the truth is organic food is gaining popularity at a time when conventional food is falling out of favor.

Organic foods continue to be popular because they offer a healthier alternative. Organic products are not only safer for our health but also reduce pollution and waste.

But there are two sides to this coin. Organic produce takes more time to grow and requires greater resources. Organic food is more expensive than non-organic.

Organic meats are generally more expensive than conventionally raised animals. However, there are ways to reduce these costs without sacrificing quality.

Buy local to save money. Buy locally grown vegetables and fruits to help keep prices low. Farmers receive incentives to grow healthier crops.

Look for bargains to cut down on costs. When you purchase organics, there are often discounts.

You can also save money by eating less meat. Meat production can be costly due to the feed needed to raise livestock.

While there are many reasons organic food is better for our bodies as well as the planet, we must not forget the cost.

What are some things I should look out for when purchasing organic goods?

Look for USDA-certified organic labels. This certifies that the product has met certain standards set by USDA. On packages, boxes, cartons or cans, look out for the USDA Organic seal.

When you shop for meat, ensure that it comes from cows who are fed organic feed. Cattle are ruminants. This means they chew the cud. Ruminant cattle have 4 stomach compartments: Rumen, reticulum and omasum. To be labeled '100% organic, all animal parts must be organically nourished.

You should only purchase chicken that has been raised organically. It must not have ever been treated with antibiotics. Chickens are omnivores. This means they can eat both plant and animal food. Omnivorous chickens have a digestive system that includes a crop (proventriculus), gizzard and small intestine.

It is important to ensure that dairy products are from cows that were fed 100% organic feed. Dairy cows have four stomach compartments, just like ruminants. The fourth stomach compartment is the udder.

Check the label when purchasing livestock of any other type to find out what percentage was used in the animal's diet. One example is pork that may be labeled '95% Organic'. This means that 95 percent came from organic sources.

Is organic the same as pesticide-free?

Organic food is chemical-free and grown without pesticides. This means that organic food is not exposed to pesticides or fertilizers.

Organic produce contains more nutrients and is healthier than conventionally manufactured foods, as it does not contain any harmful additives.

The USDA National Organic Program, (NOP), requires farmers to adhere to strict guidelines when cultivating organic crops.

These guidelines include soil preparation, crop rotating, pest control and water conservation.

Organic farming techniques also contribute to healthy ecosystems that benefit wildlife as well as natural habitats.

Why should I choose organic?

Conventional agriculture has been linked with many health problems including asthma, allergies. It is important to make informed choices about food purchases.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG), offers these tips to help you choose "cleaner" foods:

When possible, buy organic fruits and veggies

USDA organic labels can be found on meat, poultry (eggs, eggs), milk, cheese and yogurt as well.

Avoid processed foods that are labeled "natural" or "no added ingredients."

Check ingredient lists carefully. If an ingredient doesn't appear on the list, it could be added to the product during processing.

You should choose fresh meats rather than frozen or canned. Canned and frozen foods can often have lower nutritional content like high fructose syrup.

What are organic food products?

Organic produce does not contain synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and sewage sludge. It is also grown without irradiation or genetic engineering. No growth hormones are used, and there is no animal testing. These crops can be grown naturally by farmers, and they don't need to be treated with chemicals to control pests or weeds.

Organic farming practices preserve soil quality and help conserve water resources. Organics have more nutrients than traditional food, which makes them better for our health. Organic products tend to be higher in fiber and lower fat than conventionally produced foods.

Statistics

Cosmetic brands such as Laurel and Rose Mira are 100 percent organic and have a wide array of skincare products. (en.wikipedia.org)
As for organic meat, regulations require that animals be raised in living conditions that accommodate their natural behaviours (like the ability to graze on pasture), fed 100% organic feed and forage, and not administered antibiotics or hormones. (usda.gov)
According to a study performed by consumerreports.org, organic products, compared to non-organic products, ranged anywhere from 13 percent cheaper to 303 percent more expensive. (en.wikipedia.org)
Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids were up to 50 percent higher in organic meats and milk than in conventionally raised products.[3] (en.wikipedia.org)

External Links

How To

5 Reasons Why You Should Buy Organic Products

Organic food is grown without synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. They contain no genetically modified or irradiated food ingredients. They are not made with sewage sludge, industrial solvents, or any other chemical substances. During the course of its growth cycle, the natural environment of the food is protected from contamination. It is free of artificial preservatives and additives. No hormones or antibiotics are used. They are also made in conditions that maintain their nutritional value and freshness for longer times.

Health benefits. Organic produce contains less chemicals that nonorganic. This means that organic produce is less likely cause allergic reactions and sensitivities. It also means you're consuming fewer toxins and carcinogens.
Eco-friendliness. Produce grown without pesticides and synthetic fertilizer requires very little water. Because it takes so much energy to grow conventionally, organic farms tend to be located far away from urban areas where there's plenty of pollution. This helps reduce pollution.
Sustainability. Organic farming relies on soil fertility rather than chemical fertilizers; this results in healthier soils with higher levels of organic matter. Rotating crops and allowing the soil to rest between harvests improves soil health. Strong immune systems are developed when farm animals only eat grasses and grains that have not been treated with hormones or antibiotics.
Taste. The taste of conventional fruits and veggies is often bland. This is because they are picked at the peak of ripeness. They then get shipped long distances to their destination. Organic produce tastes richer and sweeter because it was harvested while still unripe.
Nutrition. GMOs and BPA are common in processed foods. These harmful substances can be avoided by sticking to whole foods like meat, eggs, fish and nuts as well as seeds, beans, fruits, vegetables, and herbs.