Going Green

In honor of Earth Day, I'm not going to post the million things you can do to be a little more friendly to Mother Earth (just read some other blogs, watch the news, or pick up a newspaper if you want that). Instead, here's a green recipe, thanks to Momma Kath (my amazing cook of a MIL - Momma Kath, I altered the recipe just a teensy bit, hope you try it next time and enjoy!).

So, as much as I despise the fact that Matt is working in Tifton (at the same time, we're very thankful he has the opportunity to work, trust me), there is one perk: FARM FRESH PRODUCE! Last week, a farmer left a bunch of farm fresh broccoli at his jobsite. YUM. I'm hoping we get some strawberries this week. I LURVE broccoli. It's green and it looks like trees, so here's your Earth Day green, one-pot recipe that is easy, healthy and delicious.

Broccoli Soup

1-2 heads of broccoli, chopped into florets and peel some of the stalk to include (the stalk is the most nutritious part)
4-5 cups of low-sodium chicken stock (or enough to cover the broccoli)
1-2 tbsp butter
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
1/3 sweet onion, diced
2 large cloves of garlic, minced
milk, as needed
1-2 cups shredded cheese of your choice (something sharp like cheddar is best)
grated nutmeg to taste
salt to taste

In a soup pot (Le Creuset or similar is great if you have it), saute the carrot, onion and garlic over medium heat until onion is translucent (about 5 minutes). Add broccoli and enough broth to cover. Up the heat to medium-high and lightly boil until all veggies are very tender. Using an immersion blender, puree the soup (if you don't have an immersion blender, go get one... or use a regular blender and add the soup in batches, but be careful because it can explode (sort of) while hot). If the soup needs some watering down (mine didn't), add milk. Add desired amount of cheese, stirring to incorporate. Add nutmeg and salt.

This soup would be great with a panini or even just some crusty bread. I hope you enjoy as much as we did! I made this for Matt to bring down to Tifton with him, along with leftovers from Sunday's dinner. He texted me while he was eating it last night just to say yum. :) Oh, and I'm sorry I don't have any pictures to share, but frankly, it's not very pretty... just tastes good!