Cream of Broccoli Soup (Sparkpeople Recipe)

I served this soup in whole wheat bread bowls. (Heidi's bread recipe makes fantastic bread bowls.)

Makes 4-1 cup servings

2 tsp unsalted butter
1 cup chopped onion
1 large head of broccoli, florets separated from the stalks (about 4 cups)
1 large or 2 small russet potatoes, peeled and diced (1 cup)

2 cups homemade, low-sodium, or no-salt-added chicken or vegetable stock
1 cup fat-free evaporated milk
½ tsp white pepper
¼ cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

1.Place a large saucepan over moderate heat. Add butter and cook until melted. Add the onions, reduce heat to low, and cook until onions are tender, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Add the broccoli, potato, and stock; stir, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 20 minutes.

3. Uncover the soup and remove from heat. Puree with an immersion blender, or carefully transfer the soup to a blender or food processor to puree, then return the soup to the saucepan.

4. Stir in the evaporated milk, season with pepper, and add 2 tablespoons of the cheese to the soup. Simmer for 1 minute. Serve hot, garnished with the remaining cheese.

Per Serving: 178.1 calories, 4.6 g total fat, 13.9 mg cholesterol, 156.3 mg sodium, 23.5 g total carbs, 4.6 g dietary fiber, 10.2 g protein

Galvin, Meg (2011-10-04). The Sparkpeople Cookbook: Love Your Food, Lose the Weight (p. 159). Hay House. Kindle Edition.