Broccoli, Potato and Cheddar Cheese Soup

I apologize for my blog absence.  We have had a rough start to our year with some illness setbacks.  When someone tells you that sickness spreads through a family like wildfire, it's true!! My daughter got sick around the new year, then my son got it only worse, then my husband got it, and finally I got a mild case of it.  Just as we were getting over that, my son got the stomach flu and that went around.  We were all sick off and on for 3 weeks in January.  When some of my symptoms weren't going away, I went to the doctors (my neurologist) and found out that through all of the sickness, I was also having a relapse with my MS.  Thankfully I am doing well now.  I am hoping to jump back into my blog because right now is an exciting time!!

Since we were all sick,  I was doing a lot of soup.  I  had some broccoli on hand that needed to get used and I was also needing to go grocery shopping, so this was a "what can I make with what I have" kind of soup.  I hope you like it.  It was so very yummy!!

Broccoli, Potato and Cheddar Cheese Soup

 Ingredients:

• 3.5 cups of broccoli florets (I use fresh from the store that I cut up
• 1 small onion, chopped finely
• 3 Tbps butter or margarine
• 2 medium potatoes cubed
• 2 cups of milk
• 1 cup of water
• 2 Tbsp flour
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 3 handfuls of Cheddar Cheese (I just put it in by the handful instead of measuring it out)

1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
2. Add in the broccoli and onion. Saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir to prevent burning.

3. Add in the Potatoes and milk.  Stir the flour into the water, breaking up clumps until well blended.
4. Add the water with flour, basil, and pepper to the pot.  Stir until blended. Bring to a boil; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until potatoes a tender but not mushy.
5. Stir in the cheese and let cook for 5 more minutes until cheese is well blended.

I hope you enjoy this recipe.  If the soup comes out too thick, you can thin it with some milk.  Remember to add less flour the next time.  If the soup is too thin, add some more cheese.  Remember to add a little more flour the next time you make it. 

I am hoping to get some gardening stuff out in the next few days.  I have already started some of my plants inside.  We have a fairly long growing season here in Southeast Virginia, of which I am thankful for!!

Happy Cooking!!

Amanda