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Soups and Broths · Card SO11

Cream of Broccoli Soup

4.1 from 226 home cooks Free

Pale green and silky, with the fresh taste of broccoli intact instead of cooked into gray submission. Stems go into the soup, tiny florets and a few dots of parsley oil go on top. Cream is used with a light hand, so the vegetable does the talking.

Prep
15 min
Cook
25 min
Total
40 min
Serves
4
Level
Easy
Cuisine
French
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Cream of Broccoli Soup
Cream of Broccoli SoupPhoto: Rahul Sonawane via Pexels

Method

  1. Step 1: Make the herb oil: blanch the parsley in boiling water for 10 seconds, shock in ice water, squeeze very dry, then blend with the oil and a pinch of salt for 1 minute. Strain through a fine sieve and set aside.

  2. Step 2: In the same boiling water, cook 12 small florets for 90 seconds, until bright green, then drain and reserve for garnish.

  3. Step 3: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the leek and broccoli stems with a pinch of salt and cook gently for 8 minutes, until soft but not browned.

  4. Step 4: Add the garlic for 1 minute, then pour in the stock and bring to a simmer. Add the remaining florets and cook uncovered for 6 to 7 minutes, just until a floret is tender when pierced. Any longer and the color dulls.

  5. Step 5: Blend immediately until completely smooth, then stir in the cream and lemon juice. Season with salt and white pepper and rewarm gently if needed.

  6. Step 6: Ladle into bowls, set three reserved florets in the center of each, and dot the surface with the herb oil.

Kitchen note

Broccoli turns olive-drab after about 8 minutes of simmering as heat and acids break down chlorophyll, so the florets go in late and the soup is blended the moment they are tender.

Easy swap

Stir in 1 cup of grated sharp white cheddar off the heat for a richer broccoli-cheddar version.

Onions, garlic and tomatoes
Onions, garlic and tomatoes
Vegetables in the pot
Vegetables in the pot