soap + soup
December 10, 2010 My morning started off with a nut butter + jelly English muffin samich. Then it was off to the pool. Have I mentioned what the weather has been like lately? I’m pretty sure the past 2 weeks it’s been in the 50’s nearly every day and today it was 60! Definitely should have ridden my bike!
Swim:
- 100m kickboard warm up
- 500m freestyle
- 250m aqua jog
- 500m breast stroke
- 250m aqua job
- 250m freestyle
- 50m kickboard cool down
Felt awesome but I was famished afterwards!
Refuel: Greek yogurt [voskos 2% looove!] + vanilla cinnamon banana bread + chocolate grahams
Busy busy day. yet again. I swear, one day, I will sit on my butt all day long and it will be fabulous. One daaay….
Today I was getting ready for baby Jake to come! Melissa + Matt planned to stay the night and then leave for the airport in the morning. Chris and I are on Jake duty until Sunday. :)
Fabulous vegan mac n’ cheese leftovers were for lunch. Best way to reheat this dish?
- Heat in a pan over med/low heat with a 2-3T plain almond milk, until creamy and heated through.
Love how the noodles got a little crispy!
I added mushrooms in the mix and sautéed them before adding the noodles. Deeeelicious. There were a lot of comments asking how this could possibly taste like mac n’ cheese and a few saying they were going to cook it for skeptical healthy food eaters in their family. A few things…
- It definitely doesn’t get stringy + gooey like real cheese, but it does have a cheese-like flavor.
- Don’t tell people you are making mac n’ cheese or they will be very confused.
- If you’re serving this to skeptical food eaters, tell them you’re making a noodle casserole that uses a sauce similar to alfredo.
Although this tastes WAY better than any alfredo I’ve ever had. You just don’t want them expecting ooey, gooey cheese. I’m not sure how anyone couldn’t like this!
As if the day wasn’t busy enough, I was trying to get laundry done and ran out of detergent. Good thing I make my own and didn’t have to head to the store again! I whipped up another batch in no time. In doing so, I grated my thumb, on the knuckle, almost down to the bone. It felt lovely. And then I smashed a finger in the closet door. And then dirty words came out of my mouth.
But at least we’ll have clean clothes! This is a really cute homemade gift for the holidays too. Very eco-friendly too! Just mix it up and stick it in a mason jar with a measuring spoon! Not sure you can use it with the front loading washers though, so just be careful. This is my third batch. I made the first towards the end of July. So, 2 batches in about 5 months. I do laundry ALL of the time, even for just 2 people. Definitely saving money with this and it’s much easier on the environment…and your clothes. :)
Okay…now to the good stuff! Wake up!!
Even though it was 60*, I was in the mood for soup.
Broccoli Cheddar soup to be exact. Melissa is a bean-hater [I can’t imagine!!], so I wanted to make something she would enjoy.
I looked up a handful of recipes, just for ratios, but really tried to put this together myself! I think it turned out quite well. Everyone seemed pleased.
I was planning on using real cheese in this, but still wanted it to be on the healthy side. A lot of recipes call for heavy cream and numerous cups of cheese. Instead of cream, I decided to use potatoes to help thicken things up and make the soup creamy. It worked! I used veggie broth and a very small amount of whole milk.
I chose to use leeks, instead of onion, for a more delicate flavor. You can definitely sub onion, but I just happen to love leeks.
They’re just so pretty and mellow in flavor.
Sauté the leeks in 3T of butter for a few minutes until lightly browned. I really think the butter adds great flavor, although olive oil can be used.
Potatoes were cooked for a few minutes, garlic was added, and then 1/4c of all purpose flour to help thicken the soup.
The veggie broth was added and the potatoes simmered in that for about 10min. 2lbs of broccoli went in next for about 5 minutes.
Then I got my puree on. Although, the texture was still a bit mealy using the immersion blender. I decided it needed a quick spin in the Vita-Mix. That did the trick!! This soup was extremely smooth and thick.
I’ll take better photos of it in daylight tomorrow, but the light box is still a great option at night!
I recommend using an extra sharp cheddar for the most flavor and adding in about 1/2-1t smoked paprika. Thank you Ashley for turning me on to this amazing gem of an ingredient. I think it really brought this soup together. There was just a slight hint of smokiness in the background.
For the veggie broth I used a 50% low sodium + 50% regular and then added salt to taste.
Broccoli Cheddar Soup [serves 6-8…definitely 6 in this house!]
- 3T butter
- 3 medium potatoes, cubed [yukon gold or fingerling preferred – leave skins on]
- 2 leeks, washed thoroughly + chopped [use the bottom 4-5” of the leek]
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 large heads of broccoli ~2lbs [can use frozen]
- 7c veggie broth
- 3-4oz grated extra sharp cheddar cheese [~1.5c]
- 1/4c all-purpose flour
- salt + pepper to taste
- 1/2c organic whole milk
- 1/2-1t smoked paprika [could maybe sub a chipotle spice instead]
- Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add in chopped leeks and cook for about 5min, until lightly browned, stirring occasionally.
- Add cracked black pepper [~1/4t to start] + stir.
- Add cubed potatoes and cook for another 5min, stirring occasionally.
- Add flour and stir. Cook for 1min.
- Add minced garlic and stir. Cook for 1min.
- Add in broth and bring to a low boil for about 8-10min, until potatoes have softened [but not mushy].
- Add in broccoli and let simmer for 5min.
- Stir in cheese + milk.
- Blend using immersion blender or stand up blender, until nice and smooth. *I recommend a stand up blender. Start low but work it up to high for maximum smoothness! If using a blender, you will need to do this in 2 batches. Empty the first half in the bowl and repeat blending the 2nd half. Then pour it all back into the pot over medium-low heat.
- Add smoked paprika, salt + pepper to taste.
- Simmer for 10min, occasionally whisking.
- Top portions with extra shredded cheese and a sprinkling of smoked paprika.
We ate this alongside gooey grilled cheese samiches. Just as comforting as last night’s mac n’ cheese!
I’m pretty sure this would also be delicious accompanied by Mama Pea’s Garlic Biscuits!!
Off to bed so I can be well rested for the little one tomorrow!!
<3 Ashley
Family + Friends, Recipes, broccoli, cheese, soup
Reader Comments (61)
Smoked paprika is THE BEST! And I hope things calm down for you soon. But you're going to be CCCCRAZY busy with the little one :) Have funnnnN! I'll call you to say hey over the weekend. I can't wait till this baby shower thing is ovvver. <3 <3 <3!!!
i can't believe you make your own detergent! i never even considered that
You are such a great friend to make a soup you know she would love. I adore Broccoli Cheddar soup!! I think I need to work on a really fantastic recipe for the winter.
Have fun with Jake this weekend!!!
I grated my finger once and it was AWFUL. I feel for ya.
this is fabulousss--- i LOVE LOVE broccoli and cheesy-ness!
I totally relate to the whole grating of the finger thing. It's horrible. I think it's awesome that you make your own detergent! I never would of thought of doing that. The soup looks delish. I love leeks.
Once my Mom was making a Tiramasu and we were out of cocoa powder so she made me grate chocolate chips! Once I was done I realized I was missing half of my fingernail! :-?
Yup! That soup looks delicious - I've been wanting to make a broccoli soup lately!
where did you get your immersion blender from? i want one for Christmas :)
The soup looks delish! And I like when my mac & cheese gets a little crispy for leftovers too :)
Oh my gosh! This looks incredible!
AGhh! I thought my kitchen burns were bad, but when you wrote about almost grating your knuckle off I shrieked out loud. That soup looks fabulous! Good to know that it doesn't get as smooth with an immersion blender though...bummer. No vitamix in this house :(
I love broccoli and cheddar soup! Have fun with the little one!
"and then dirty words came out of my mouth." LOL LOL LOL. hahahahahaaaaaaaaa
I'm glad you pointed out that you aren't sure about front-loading washers. I would have just tried it without a second thought. I'll have to do some research.
Have fun with Jake!!
This is a cheese overload post! Yum. The broccoli cheddar soup looks amazing!
I'm sorry about your thumb... don't you love when that happens? Hence why I refer to graters as "Grandma's handy dandy knuckle shredder"... not sure why it's grandma's though........
Did I mention the soup looks amazing? :D
I made broccoli cheddar soup the other day with fresh baked focaccia bread - so delicious!
What is it that you have in the bottom of your light box (under the bowl)? Is it a placemat? My Dad built me one this past weekend (with scrap wood instead of a cardboard box) and I am at a loss for ideas of what to put in the bottom (other than placemats, of course).
I had a run in with the grater a few months ago, and it took off the skin like it was cheese! So gross, and it bled like a shotgun wound. Hope you're okay :)
That soup looks sooo good!
I have been all about the broc lately, so it is right up my alley :)
Mmm I want that soup! I might have to make some. :-)
What recipe do you use for your laundry detergent? I hadn't actually thought about using castille bar soap! It's usually just Ivory for me!
Ack! .<
That soup looks fannnnnntastic!
Nevermind! I realized you linked to your original post.
Ooo soap and soup! I, too, make that soap. I totally laze out though and use my food processor...not even the grater disc, just the good ole' food processor. I read that in a comment somewhere, and I've found that it works pretty well. You can really get it down to a dust. I don't know, I suppose some folks might find it nasty to put soap in their food processor? It gets it really clean ;-)
I really want to try a vegan version of broccoli and 'cheddar' soup....mmmm it's soup weather!
I have wanted to make that Mac & Cheese Angela had made for a couple weeks now!! I finally have cashews so looks like I will be :)
I've grated my knuckle before and it sucked, seems I always have at least one band aid on my hands. This soup looks wonderful, but I'm still drooling over the mac n' cheese. :-)
Soup looks tasty-- definitely drew me in with your amazing, gracious photos, as always! :)
I'm asking Santa for colored, pretty spoons and dishes for xmas. I can't ask him till I know where there from :). Where do you get your pretty, colorful oatmeal spoons (as pictured in your greek yogurt photo)?
i am scared of graters for that very reason. i get little shivers every time i use them!
Soup looks amazing!! Love the color! And I love leeks too! One of my favorites :)
HUGS
~Lori
It is is so weird that it is so warm there! I live in Frisco, CO the town in the middle of Keystone and Breck! We are getting so much SNOW and it is so cold! It is so awesome and it realy is looking alot like Christmat!
cool, i want to make my own detergent!!!! i miss swimming sooo much!!! i knew you'd come up with a version of your own of some sort of soup, nice...it looks great...and i kinda like the green color it is!!
Ohh, I am obsessed with smoked paprika! Love the smokiness!
I will definitely be trying out your detergent recipe! I've made some before that called for all the same ingredients but with a lot of water added to it, but I never felt like my clothes came out as clean as with the store-bought stuff.
That soup sounds amazing and I can only imagine how it would taste paired with Better Bay Biscuits!
I love broccoli cheddar soup! Just jotted down the ingredients- so excited to try this. Thanks Ashley!
Awesome! You're so welcome :)
I just started using it and love it! The detergent seems to work great!
Thanks for sending me the video of your brother the other day. That's amazing!! I'm going to have a great kid friendly oat bar recipe up on the blog Monday. Check it out for sure..It would be a great and super healthy mountain snack!
I'm thinking potato leek soup up next! <3
I've been lucky in the past...but soap does not grate as easily as cheese!
Thanks lady!! They're from crate + barrel...most of my kitchen items you see in photos are from c+b...and some from world market. :)
Literally, I've gone through at least 12 bandaids already...it is in such a bad spot and won't stop bleeding!
Oh yes...definitely make the mac n' cheese ;)
Yessss..you have to try it!
As I was grating I thought about the food processor...definitely doing that next time. It takes SO long on the grater and always kills my arms...and now, my knuckle. It's still bleeding! Mama Pea just posted a vegan version and I want to try one soon too! I think I might use a variation on the "cheese" from the vegan mac n' cheese the other day. It would be so creamy and delicious!
Still bleeding. :( It's in such a bad spot...gr!
It's a slate cheese plate from crate + barrel...I think it's slate...can't remember. But it's a black cheese plate :) hehe
fresh focaccia?? you're my hero!
Seriously smashing my finger hurt worse than my thumb...I'm sure there is a natural kind you can make, I just am not sure how, hehe ;)
You can definitely use an immersion blender!! It got all of the lumps out and was smooth...just not quite as creamy smooth as I wanted. Totally works though! Do you have any blender? I think any blender would work for this..not just a VM :)
bed bath + beyond...just got the $30 cuisinart one and LOVE it!!
Ohhhh my gosh that sounds like an accident waiting to happen!! haha