Description
Ina Garten’s cream of broccoli soup offers a luxurious blend of garden-fresh broccoli and rich dairy comfort. Creamy, velvety, and packed with wholesome ingredients, this classic recipe delivers a hearty bowl of warmth you’ll savor to the last spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 cups broccoli florets
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups milk
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
Thickening Agents:
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 5 tablespoons butter, divided
Seasoning:
- Ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium-sized stockpot, melt of butter over medium heat, gently sautéing chopped celery and onion until they become translucent and softened.
- Pour chicken broth into the pot and add fresh broccoli florets. Cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes, ensuring the broccoli reaches a tender consistency without losing its vibrant green color.
- Carefully transfer the hot soup mixture to a blender, filling it only halfway to prevent spillage. Secure the lid with a folded kitchen towel and pulse initially, then blend thoroughly until achieving a silky, smooth texture. Alternatively, use an immersion blender directly in the pot for easier processing.
- In a separate small saucepan, melt the remaining of butter over medium-low heat. Gradually whisk in flour and milk, stirring consistently to prevent lumps and create a thick, creamy roux that bubbles gently.
- Incorporate the thickened butter-flour mixture into the puréed soup, whisking smoothly to ensure complete integration and a consistent, velvety consistency.
- Season with freshly ground black pepper, ladle into warm serving bowls, and serve immediately while the soup maintains its rich, comforting temperature.
Notes
- Chopping consistency matters for uniform cooking, ensuring onions and celery soften perfectly without any crunchy surprises.
- Safety first when blending hot liquids by using a towel to secure the blender lid, preventing potential kitchen mishaps and unexpected soup explosions.
- Creating a smooth roux requires patience and constant stirring, melting butter gently before introducing flour and milk to guarantee a silky, lump-free base.
- Taste testing throughout cooking allows you to adjust seasonings, bringing out the soup’s deepest flavors and ensuring a delicious final result.
- Letting the soup simmer allows ingredients to meld together, developing rich, complex flavors that transform a simple recipe into a comforting meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg