Cauliflower, Broccoli & Cheddar Cheese Soup

This is one of my all time favorite soups. I make this soup a lot during the colder months.  It is so comforting and yummy.

Cauliflower, Broccoli & Cheddar Cheese Soup

Cheesy Cauli-Broccoli Soup Mmmmmm!

Equipment: Large Stockpot, Grater, Blender or Food Processor, Large Bowl or Large Measuring Cup (8 cup)

• 5 cups cauliflower florets
• 3 cups broccoli florets
• 3 ½ - 4 cups bone broth or homemade stock
• 3-4 fresh garlic cloves, grated or minced
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme
• 1 strip kombu, optional (See Resources)
• ¼ teaspoon organic kelp granules, optional (I use Maine Coast)
• 2 tablespoons pasture butter (See Resources)
• 8 ounces good quality organic or raw cheddar cheese, divided

1.     Prep cauliflower and broccoli -  wash and shake dry, remove core from cauliflower, cut cauliflower and broccoli into florets. 

2.    Place cauliflower and broccoli into large stockpot.  Pour broth over vegetables, just below vegetables (broth should not cover vegetables).  Add garlic, thyme, kombu and kelp granules.  Stir.

Kombu, Lime Thyme, Kelp Granules & Grated Garlic

3.    Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to simmer for 30 minutes.  Remove lid and simmer for another 15 minutes, or until vegetables are fork tender.

4.   While soup is cooking, grate the cheddar cheese and place in refrigerator until ready to use.

5.    Add small portions of soup to the blender, filling only halfway.  Cover with lid and puree until smooth and combined.  Pour into large bowl or large measuring cup.  Repeat until all soup is pureed.  Pour soup back into stockpot.

6.    Add pasture butter to soup and turn heat on medium-low.  Stir until melted.

7.    Add about 6 ounces of cheddar cheese to soup, stirring constantly until melted. 

8.     Serve hot and top with some of the remaining grated cheddar cheese. 

Yield: Makes about 6 cups.

Note: Use whatever amounts of cauliflower and broccoli you want as long as they add up to about 8 cups.  I prefer more cauliflower to broccoli, but it’s great either way.  Recipe can be doubled. 

Tip: This soup is great with oven roasted cauliflower and broccoli too.  It adds a different level of flavor.  I love to make it this way when I have leftover roasted cauliflower and broccoli.  

This post is part of Made From Scratch Tuesday @ From Mess Hall to Bistro, Foodie Wednesday @ Daily Organized Chaos, and Full Plate Thursday @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage.