RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Broccoli and Cheese Soup

This recipe is the perfect winter-warmer, and also a great way to use up any extra green veg in your fridge. I affectionately refer to this soup as my Green Goddess soup, as it is PACKED with goodness!

Ingredients:

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp butter

1 leek, sliced

2 celery sticks, sliced

1 head of broccoli (approx 225g)

2 medium-sized potatoes, peeled and diced

1 zucchini, diced

Blue cheese, 125g crumbled

3 cups of vegetable stock

Double cream, 150ml (or as much as desired)

Paprika for sprinkling

Method:

  1. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil and butter. Add sliced leeks and celery and sauté, stirring constantly until they start to colour.
  2. Add other vegetables and sauté for a few minutes, until they start to colour slightly.
  3. Add cheese and enough stock to cover vegetables and bring to the boil.
  4. Turn down heat and simmer until all vegetables are tender.
  5. Blend soup until smooth with a stick blender or in a food processor.
  6. Return pureed soup to saucepan and stir in double cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Pour soup into bowls and garnish with a sprinkle of paprika and cracked black pepper.

TIPS:

  • Blue cheese can be substituted with vintage cheddar or another strong-flavoured cheese.
  • Chicken stock can be used as an alternative to veggie stock.
  • You could also use spinach or other green vegetables, and add more or less of each vegetable, to your liking.