In nearly every instance, I prefer the fresh, home-cooked version of foods as opposed to those obtained in restaurants, grocery stores, or packages/cans. Most soups I’ve tasted are overly salty and fatty, devoid of flavor or nutrition. But homemade soups are an entirely different culinary experience. I absolutely love a freshly made tomato, carrot, or butternut squash soup.
Most soups are served as starter courses rather than complete meals, but as I was brainstorming a recipe for Broccoli Cheddar Soup, I thought about some ways to include a bit of protein without altering the flavor or texture. Tofu! For this particular recipe, I opted for the Silken version to maintain the smooth, creamy consistency characteristic of Broccoli Cheddar Soup.
- 1 medium Onion chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic chopped
- 24 ounces of broccoli chopped
- 2 stalks of celery chopped
- 2 carrots chopped
- 1 tablespoon of Olive Oil
- 16 ounces of Vegetable Broth use more for a thinner soup, less for a thicker soup
- 16 ounces of Silken Tofu
- 8 ounces of Sharp Cheddar shredded
- Splash of Heavy Whipping Cream
- Fresh chives chopped
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Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until tender and translucent. Do not brown.
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Add broccoli, celery, carrots, and vegetable broth and cook until vegetables are tender.
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Using a stick blender, puree until smooth (you can add additional Vegetable Broth if it is too thick).
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Remove from heat and add cheese. Mix until cheese is melted.
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Garnish with fresh chives and a splash of heavy whipping cream.
For this particular recipe, I used Beneforté Broccoli, available at Sam’s Club and select grocery retailers nationwide. As I mentioned in my previous recipe post, you can simply eat or prepare this broccoli straight from the bag since it’s already washed and trimmed. I am always looking for ways to prepare healthy meals quickly, and cutting out this step is a welcomed time-saver.
So why Beneforté? That was my question, and perhaps it is yours.
Beneforté is a combination of the best attributes of the broccoli you see in stores with a variety that grows in southern Italy. It has 2-3 times the amount of the phytonutrient glucorphanin per serving, compared to other varieties of broccoli. Glucoraphanin naturally boosts the body’s antioxidant enzyme levels which help maintain the antioxidant activity of vitamins A, C and E in your body. We all know that antioxidants can help protect against the damage caused by environmental pollutants and free radicals, so I appreciate the nutritional boost!
Stay tuned! You will have one more opportunity to try Beneforté Broccoli at Sam’s Club. For now, make sure you share your favorite broccoli recipe for a chance to win a $50 gift card!
Compensation, giveaway prizes, and product samples were received to share my honest opinion as a Beneforté Broccoli Ambassador.
Recipe & Images: Rockin’ Mama, Beneforté
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This looks so yummy!!!