Broccoli Cheese Soup

Hubby has been craving broccoli cheese soup (he NEVER used to eat it) so I found this recipe that is supposed to be a copy of Panera's which he likes. Hopefully it ends up tasting like it!

1 tablespoon melted butter
1/2 medium chopped onion
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups half-and-half cream
2 cups chicken stock
1/2 lb fresh broccoli
1 cup carrot, julienned
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
8 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese
salt and pepper

1. Sauté onion in butter. Set aside.
2. Cook melted butter and flour using a whisk over medium heat for 3-5 minutes. Stir constantly and add the half & half.
3. Add the chicken stock. Simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Add the broccoli, carrots and onions. Cook over low heat 20-25 minutes.
5. Add salt and pepper. Can be puréed in a blender but I don't. Return to heat and add cheese. Stir in nutmeg.

My suggestions: No need to puree, it was perfect without it! Tasted pretty good but could have used a little more cheese. Not sure the nutmeg fit in well, I would have preferred it without it. Could have been slightly thicker. Overall a great recipe though!

Onion Loaf with Cheese

A co-worker of mine made this for one of our lunches and it was so delicious and sounds easy to make!

1 loaf italian bread
1 onion, sliced thinly
1 stick butter
12-15 slices of swiss cheese

Cut bread length wise and then across as many times as you would like (thicker slices are recommended though). Saute the onions in about 1 tbsp of the butter, add the rest of the butter and melt. Place the cheese slices on the bread and then pour the butter mixture overtop. Cover with foil and bake for 30 mins. Uncover and bake another 15.

Crockpot Broccoli Cheese and Rice Casserole

This is a recipe that I found this week while searching for something to make for our Holiday Party at work! I needed something easy and in a crockpot and this worked!

1 small onion, chopped

1/4 c margarine

2 c uncooked quick-cooking rice

2 c water

1 can cream of chicken soup

1/2 tsp salt

1 (5 oz) jar sharp cheese spread

2 (10 oz) pkgs frozen chopped broccoli

Combine onion, margarine, rice, water, soup, salt, cheese & broccoli to the Crock Pot. Cook on Low for 6 hours. Serves 8.