Soups are one of my favorite things about fall.
I’m sure now that I am in full fall mode, we will have an Indian summer and I will have to turn my AC back on.
I like my soups thick.
Now that I’ve gotten all that out of the way, let’s talk about this over the top cheesy soup. Recently, I became acquainted with a new girl in town. She is here for a year finishing her Ph.D. in psychology. She is from Louisiana and has the charms of true Southern Belle. Sadly for her, she had to leave her new husband behind, as he’s finishing medical school.
We met and hit it off. I invited her over for dinner since she doesn’t know many people around here. But at our first meeting she revealed a factoid about herself. She’s a pescatarian, she eats fish but no other meat. Now, I have made vegetarian and vegan food, but usually by accident. Usually I realize halfway through the recipe that it is, so continue on.
But the pressure of making a dish fully vegetarian was so daunting. Then I thought, soup! I can do a soup. I set out to make my soup. Prepped what I could the night before and then realized I always use chicken broth. I couldn’t do that this time. The next morning I ran to the store to buy vegetable broth. I made my purchase and went home.
As I got started on making the soup, I poured the stock into the pan, and discovered it was BROWN. My soup was to be creamy in color, maybe a little yellowish, but not brown! That being said, the flavor of the vegetable stock was intense. I loved it.
Turns out, vegetable stock works just fine with soup. Who knew? (Everyone but me.)
Since I was going vegetarian, I decided to make it gluten free as well by thickening with cornstarch versus flour. Also my broth was unsalted, so I had to give my shaker quite the shake to get the salt up to par.
Ingredients
- 32 oz . vegetable stock/broth (or chicken, I won’t tell)
- 2 celery ribs; chopped
- 2 carrots; chopped
- 1 small onion; chopped
- 4 cups potatoes; cubed
- 4 cups broccoli; into florets
- 8 oz . cheddar cheese; grated
- 3 oz . cream cheese
- 4 oz . white cheddar (I used extra sharp)
- 1½-2 cups of milk
- 2 green onions; sliced
- 1-2 tbsp . cornstarch (optional)
- Salt/pepper; to taste.
Instructions
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In a large pot, bring the stock, potatoes, carrots, onions, and celery to a boil.
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Add salt and pepper.
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Cover and reduce heat to medium. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
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Add the broccoli. Cook for 2 minutes.
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Add the cream cheese and stir frequently as to facilitate melting.
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Slowly add both the cheddar cheeses.
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The soup will quickly begin to thicken as the cheese melts.
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Add the milk, a half of a cup at a time, stirring constantly until the soup has reached the desired thickness.
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Taste, and add any additional salt and pepper as needed.
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If an even thicker soup is desired, remove 1 cup of the hot liquid and place it into a bowl.
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Add the cornstarch, (no more than 2 tablespoons) a small amount at a time.
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Whisk briskly to make sure the cornstarch does not clump.
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Pour the thickened broth back into the pot and stir well, making sure it is fully incorporated into the soup.
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Cook on low for 5 minutes. Serve and garnish with green onions.
14 Comments
janelle
August 28, 2014 at 6:34 amThe color on that broth is magical. This is a great fall soup. Can’t wait to try it.
Michelle
September 3, 2014 at 1:08 amTis cheesy good!
The Food Hunter
August 28, 2014 at 8:36 amyou had me at 3 cheese 🙂
Michelle
September 3, 2014 at 1:08 amCheese makes everything better, doesn’t it.
Sandi
August 28, 2014 at 8:54 amCheese, broccoli, and potatoes are such a great combination! This will be perfect after the heat wave we have coming later in the week.
Michelle
September 3, 2014 at 1:10 amMy cool weather ended and the heat has returned. But I’d still take a bowl of this.
Sandra Shaffer
August 28, 2014 at 7:55 pmYou hit a home run with this one! It looks delicious and I’m sure you’re new friend will be back for another meal!!
Michelle
September 3, 2014 at 1:11 amThank you Sandra. I am sure she will be happy to come back. I just have to figure out another vegetarian dish…on purpose.
Prairie Gal Cookin'
August 28, 2014 at 8:16 pmThis looks amazing!! Can’t wait to try it!
Michelle
September 3, 2014 at 1:11 amThank you PG. The cheese was the star.
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
August 28, 2014 at 8:47 pmI will have to wait until it really IS Fall, since it is still 90 degrees here! This looks delicious!
Michelle
September 3, 2014 at 1:12 amThank you Dorothy. I don’t blame you on waiting until the heat subsides and the cooler weather comes.
Kim - Liv Life
August 28, 2014 at 10:07 pmOh what comfort!!! I have to admit I’m still in 90º here in San Diego, but this is truly a dish of love. Love that potato and cheese combo!!
Michelle
September 3, 2014 at 1:13 amKim, while SoCal was in a heatwave, we had early fall. But the heat has returned here as well. But I’d still make this. The cheese was worth it.