Description
Hearty broccoli cheddar soup brings creamy comfort from classic American kitchens. Rich cheese and tender vegetables create a satisfying meal you can savor with crusty bread and warm memories.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups broccoli florets (from 1 large head)
- 2 cups grated sharp white/yellow cheddar cheese (plus more for garnish)
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 ¼ cups half-and-half
- 4 tbsps (60 ml) unsalted butter
- 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese (light or regular)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 large carrot, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
- 2 bay leaves
- ¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
- Coarse salt
- Freshly ground pepper
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a substantial saucepan, melt butter over moderate heat. Introduce minced garlic, sea salt, and cracked black pepper. Allow ingredients to dance and release their fragrant essence until softened and provocatively aromatic.
- Develop Base: Add uncooked rice, verdant spinach leaves, water, salt, and ground pepper. Propel mixture to a rolling boil, then gracefully reduce heat. Cover and allow ingredients to simmer gently, melding flavors for 20-25 minutes until rice achieves perfect tenderness.
- Enhance Texture: Delicately fluff rice with a fork. Incorporate half-and-half cream, vibrant diced tomatoes, and freshly grated Parmesan. Calibrate seasoning, adjusting salt and pepper to elevate taste profile. Thin with additional half-and-half if mixture appears too dense.
- Prepare Vessels: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice zucchinis lengthwise, meticulously removing inner seeds to create elegant boats. This preparation transforms ordinary vegetables into culinary canvases.
- Final Assembly and Baking: Generously fill zucchini boats with prepared rice mixture. Arrange strategically in roasting pan, ensuring adequate spacing. Bake for 20-25 minutes until zucchinis metamorphose into golden-edged, tender masterpieces.
- Serve with Flourish: Crown each zucchini boat with an additional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Present immediately, celebrating your gastronomic creation.
Notes
- Garlic Sauté Tip: Mince garlic finely and sauté briefly to release aromatic oils without burning, creating a flavor foundation for the dish.
- Rice Cooking Technique: Use precise water-to-rice ratio and maintain low simmer to ensure perfectly cooked, fluffy rice with optimal texture.
- Zucchini Boat Preparation: Remove seeds carefully to create stable boats that hold filling without becoming soggy, maximizing structural integrity.
- Cheese Finishing Touch: Freshly grated Parmesan adds depth and richness; sprinkle just before serving to maintain maximum flavor and slight melt.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 305
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg