Broccoli Cheese Soup...copycat Panera

Tried this recipe from mybizzykitchen.com today for her version of Panera's Broccoli Cheese Soup. It was awesome and a healthier version.

• 2 Tbs butter
• 2 Tbs flour
• 2 cups fat free half and half
• 2 cups chicken broth (I used 2 chicken boullion cubes in 2 cups of boiling water)
• 3-4 cups broccoli
• 1 cups shredded carrots
• 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese (used triple cheddar mix w/touch of Philadelphia)
• S&P to taste

Melt butter in stock pot. Add flour and stir for 2 minutes to make a paste. Slowly add the half and half to make a roux. Then add chicken broth, broccoli and carrots. Simmer for 30 minutes until veggies are tender. Use immersion blender to puree at least half of broccoli in soup. Remove from heat and stir in cheese until melted. I added 3 pinches of salt.

Might try next time- a dash of hot sauce and 1/4 tsp of dijon and 1/4 tsp of nutmeg.

7 cups of soup. Each one cup serving equates to 284 cal, 17 fat, 15.3 carbs, 2.1 fiber and 13 protein.

Josh really loved this and it worked really well with rolls and salad.