Wednesday 11 January 2012

Broccoli and Stilton soup

Now, I know that in the eyes of  British readers, Broccoli and Stilton soup may perhaps be seen as "old hat", but that doesn't stop it being nice - and I wonder how many people make their own rather than just buying it in a carton?? Besides, I know that many of my blog readers are NOT British, so I'm going to write about an old favourite of mine anyway...


This soup is a really simple to make but produces results that are way out of proportion to the effort required.

This is my recipe:-
Broccoli and Stilton Soup (serves 2)
Ingredients:
1 x large onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 x head of Calabrese-style broccoli, cut into small florets
1 x litre of stock (preferably vegetable, or chicken)
About 100g Stilton (or other similar) blue cheese, crumbled
2 x cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

 Method:
  • Cook the onion over a gentle heat until soft and transparent, but not brown
  • Add the garlic and cook for another two minutes, taking care that the garlic doesn't burn
  • Add the stock and broccoli, bring to the boil and simmer until the broccoli is tender (approx 15 mins?)
  • Reserve a couple of small (cooked) florets for garnish
  • Remove from heat and allow to cool for five minutes
  • Blitz the mixture in a food-processor until desired texture is achieved (I like soup not too smooth)
  • Return liquidized mixture to the pan and add the cheese
  • Bring the mixture slowly back up to the boil and simmer until the cheese is melted, stirring occasionally
  • Season to taste (you probably won't need much salt, as the cheese is salty already
  • Garnish with the reserved florets
  • Serve immediately or allow to cool and reheat later




As you can see, with the addition of the cheese the soup takes on a rather dull colour, very different to the bright green of the raw broccoli. This is why I felt it necessary to add the little broccoli florets as a garnish. [Actually - for the benefit of all you soup-photographers out there - the garnish gives your camera something definite to focus on. The plain surface of the soup may not be enough.]


I don't care what colour it comes out though - the taste is more important, and believe you me this one is a stunner! Rich, salty, savoury - umami even.

By the way, I'm currently on a bit of a mission to narrow the gap between Gardening bloggers (of the veggie variety mainly) and the Foodie bloggers. Some of you Gardening Bloggers out there ought to write more about how you cook you home-grown produce, and some of you Foodie Bloggers ought to write more about where your food comes from - especially if it is from your own garden or Allotment!

This is why today I'm putting in a plug for these two:-

The UK Food Bloggers Association (3314 members) and

UK Veg Gardeners (862 members)

I am am member of both of these and I think they are great online forums. Although their names imply that all their members live in the UK, I can see that this is not the case, so don't be put off if you don't live in the UK.

12 comments:

  1. Looks amazing...if only I liked blue cheese! The bread looks fantastic too. I will eventually post a little on the food I made this past summer, but I am still working on my summary of last year's veggie blog. Hopefully I will get that done today.

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  2. I love broccoli, and your soup look delicious. I will try for sure.

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  3. I've never tried this soup as I'm not a lover of blue cheese, it looks amazing though. I don't blog much about how I use my home grown veg as I have a family who love plain food, though I'd be a little more adventurous is only they'd eat it.

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  4. As you probably have guessed from one of my soup posts - I am a great lover of soup in any shape or form mostly (except meaty soups). Your picture does this glorious soup justice and I hope will encourage more people to try it.

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  5. I really enjoyed this post and the photos, as always, are excellent.

    The first time I was ever served this soup, pieces of stilton were hidden, at the bottom of the soup bowl; what a surprise and delight to dig into the warm melting cheese.

    Thanks for the nudge re vegie growing to food prep posts on blog.

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  6. Very yummy soup. Not sure about if that cheese will be easily available here in NJ, USA, but will cook with some other cheese.

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  7. yum, very nice I love broccoli soup your recipe is very simple and I like simple and looks Delicious.

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  8. I know you'll think me a heathen but I've never enjoyed blue cheese - I think its the feeling that I'm breathing it out afterward that I struggle with.

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  9. Sounds great and I bet smells wonderful! New Lens/Lighting? Looks sharp! I agree with your mission... It's what I've been doing!

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  10. David; Yes, the inspiration for "the Mission" is from you too; I acknowledge that. Thanks!

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  11. There are such a lot of food blogs out there! I hope you get lots of responses to your suggestion.

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  12. That looks and sounds like a delicious soup - I haven't made much soup this year - wonder why not?

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