Broccoli and Stilton Soup

Tomorrow marks the first day of fall, so warm comforting soups will be showing up on dinner menus across the country.  Why not try making this broccoli and Stilton soup?

If you have broccoli in the fridge and you're looking for broccoli recipes to use it up, this is your answer.  Once the ingredients are prepped, this recipe is ready in 30 minutes.

Questions

How long can you keep this in the fridge?

• This should keep well in an airtight container for 3 days in the fridge.
• Remember to cool it on the counter before putting in the fridge.
• Reheat it slowly on the stove top on low to medium heat, whisking occasionally to keep the cheese from burning.

Can I freeze this recipe?

• Yes.  Stilton cheese can freeze very well.
• If you're substituting with another blue cheese, make sure to leave out the cheese.  Dairy products typically don't freeze well, and can cause it to separate or taste grainy when thawed and reheated.
• If you're making this recipe without Stilton, set aside the portion you want to freeze without adding the cheese.
• This will keep in the freezer for 2 months.  Mark the date on the container in case it gets buried and you forget what it is.

How is this soup thickened?

Unlike most great British broccoli soups, this version has no potatoes in it.  Instead I've chosen to use a combination of pureed soup and a beurre manie, which is simply a paste made from flour and butter, to thicken it.

How can I make this recipe look more elegant?

This versatile recipe can be also served as an appetizer at Christmas.  Just puree the whole batch to make it look more elegant.  Omit the black pepper and garnish with fresh nutmeg and a drizzle of olive oil.

How to Make

Prep all the ingredients by cutting up the broccoli, onion, celery, and garlic.

Sauté the onion and celery in olive oil and butter until soft.  Add the garlic, tarragon, and salt during the last minute or two.

Pour in the chicken broth and add the broccoli stems.  Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes or until the stems are soft.

Purée in 2 cup batches, then return to the pot.  This will help thicken the soup and make it creamy.

Add the broccoli florets and cook for 5 minutes.

While the florets are cooking, make the beurre manié by combining flour and softened butter with a fork.  This mixture will thicken it and give it a silky texture.

Mush the flour and butter together until it looks like a paste.

Remove from the heat and gradually whisk it in, one heaping tablespoon at a time, until it is all gone.  The soup should be still be hot enough to cook the flour.

Add half the Stilton cheese to the pot and stir until it melts.

Garnish with a grind of fresh black pepper and more crumbles of Stilton blue cheese.  Enjoy this with a crusty bread, like our overnight pumpernickel.

Pro Tips

• Add the tarragon with the onions to allow the flavors to bloom.
• Use a cloth on top of the blender's lid to help catch any splatters.
• This soup can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
• Use fresh broccoli for better flavor and a less watery soup.
• Add the stems and florets separately.
• Don't overcook the broccoli florets, or they will taste mushy.

These other healthy soups will warm you up on a cold day.

• Detox Moroccan Lentil Stew
• Roasted Cauliflower Soup

The pleasure of a 5-star review would be greatly appreciated.

Recipe

Broccoli and Stilton Soup

---

5 from 1 reviews

• Author: Brooke
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 7 ½ cups 1x

Print Recipe

Save Recipe Recipe Saved

Description

Broccoli and Stilton soup is an easy and healthy recipe to make for dinner.  This quick soup is pureed in a blender before the florets are added.  It’s a creamy, homemade comfort food that tastes best served hot with a garnish of Britain’s finest blue cheese.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup yellow onion, chopped
• ¾ cup celery, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 6 cups low-sodium chicken stock
• 2 cups fresh broccoli stems, peeled and chopped (about 3 stalks)
• 6 cups fresh broccoli florets
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 5 ounces Stilton cheese, crumbled (140g)
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, for garnish

---

Instructions

1. Saute the onion, and celery in olive oil and butter over medium high heat until soft.  Add the tarragon, salt, and garlic, and cook for one minute or until fragrant.
2. Pour in the chicken stock and the broccoli stems.  Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.  Cook for 10 minutes or until the stems are soft.
3. Puree the mixture in a blender in 2-cup batches, then return to the pot.  Take care not to burn your hands with the steam or a splatter of hot soup.  As an extra caution, use a tea towel on top of the blender's lid to absorb any spills.
4. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 5 minutes.
5. While the broccoli florets are cooking, make the beurre manié by adding the softened butter to the flour in a small bowl.  Mash with a fork until well combined to make a paste.
6. Remove the soup from the heat.  Whisk in one rounded tablespoon of beurre manié at a time until all the paste is gone and has dissolved in the soup.
7. Stir in half of the crumbled Silton, then transfer the soup to a serving bowl.  Garnish with freshly cracked black pepper and crumbled Silton.  Serve immediately.

Notes

• Allow the flavors to bloom by adding the tarragon with the onions.
• Freeze this in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
• Want a less watery soup?  Use fresh veggies, not frozen.
• Stems take longer to cook, add them first then add the florets.
• If you don't want mush, make sure not to overcook the broccoli florets.

• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: British

Keywords: broccoli soup, Stilton cheese