090326 - bread + cream of broccoli soup

joe really wanted broccoli and cheddar soup. I hate to disappoint, but this soup recipe is so flexible, you can add your own cheese. and it's healthier. i admit that i got a little crazy with the ingredientes, but these things happen. here's what i did:

ingredients:

• 1T evoo
• 1 1/2 onion, chopped
• 3 C water + 2 chicken bouillon cubes
• 2 medium potatoes, washed and cubed
• 2 parsnips peeled and chopped
• 8 cups broccoli florets
• 1 C kale, chopped
  
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• ground black pepper to taste

directions:

1. Heat evoo in medium sized stock pot, and saute onion until tender.
2. Add potatoes, parsnips, and broth, cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Add broccoli and continue simmering for 10 more minutes.
3. In small saucepan, over medium-heat melt 2 tablespoons butter, stir in flour and add milk. Stir continually until thick and bubbly (keep stirring or it will stick to the pan!), and add to soup.
   
4. Using an immersion blender, chop up big chunks of broccoli stalk, potato chunks, and kale stems. Season with pepper (+ sharp cheddar cheese if your name is joe) and serve.