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Broccoli and Cheese Soup with Croutons

Emeril Lagasse

Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse

Show: The Essence of EmerilEpisode: Simple Soups

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (107)

  • Cook Time:

    1 hr 0 min

  • Level:

    Easy

  • Yield:

    4 servings

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Times:

Prep
10 min
Inactive Prep
--
Cook
1 hr 0 min
Total:
1 hr 10 min
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Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • 1 cup yellow onions or sliced leeks (white parts only, well rinsed)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
  • Pinch nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups chicken stock or canned, low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 (16-ounce) package frozen broccoli, thawed and separated
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 1/4 cups shredded medium Cheddar
  • Croutons, for garnish, recipe follows

Directions

In a medium pot, melt the 3 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Add the onions, salt, pepper, and nutmeg and cook, stirring, until soft, 3 minutes. Add the garlic and thyme cook, stirring, until fragrant, for 20 seconds. Add the flour and cook, stirring until the mixture is well blended and smells fragrant, 2 minutes. Slowly add the chicken stock, whisking constantly, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes. Add the broccoli and cook, stirring, until tender, for 10 minutes.

Remove the pot from the heat and puree with a hand-held immersion blender. (Alternatively, in batches, puree in a blender or food processor and return to the pot.)

Add the cream and bring to bare simmer to heat through. Add the cheese and cook over low heat, stirring, until melted. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons cold butter, stirring to blend.

Remove from the heat and ladle the soup into bowls. Sprinkle croutons over the top of the soup and serve immediately.

Croutons:

1 cup 1/2 to 3/4-inch cubed French bread

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 teaspoon Essence or Creole seasoning, recipe follows

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Place the bread in a medium bowl and toss with oil and Essence. Spread evenly on a small baking sheet and bake, stirring twice, until light golden brown on top, about 6 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool slightly before serving.

Yield: 1 cup

Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast):

2 1/2 tablespoons paprika

2 tablespoons salt

2 tablespoons garlic powder

1 tablespoon black pepper

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 tablespoon cayenne pepper

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Yield: 2/3 cup

Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch

Published by William and Morrow, 1993.

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Read more Comments & Reviews (107)

Comments & Reviews

  • recipe Broccoli and Cheese Soup with Croutons
    kelly Iron Mountain, MI 11-25-2009

    Flag

    Yummy!!!

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    I made this last night and my husband said it was wonderful. I used fresh broccoli and sharp cheddar but other than that I... followed the recipe. I think I would of preferred a little more thickness but it was still wonderful and flavorful! Serving inside a breadbowl is a great touch. Read more
  • recipe Broccoli and Cheese Soup with Croutons
    katherine new iberia, LA 11-17-2009

    Flag

    OMg Amazing

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    I have to say, that ive read about 15 of the comments made about this soup, before i made it. I love emerils food, and being... from his area, i agree with all the spices he adds. Alot of pple said that this soup is blanche. I disagree. Its great, and hearty. The croutons are the best thing about this soup and soo easy to make. My family flipped out on this and now i have to make it all the time. I added a little more nutmeg and thyme then the recipe called for , and added a about 3 tablespoons more of flour. It just makes it thicker, and creamier. Try it, it will be in the family recipe box for yrs to come. Thanks emeril you never cease to amaze me. Read more
  • recipe Broccoli and Cheese Soup with Croutons
    Esther Ogden, UT 11-10-2009

    Flag

    Oh my Heck...

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    I got home late and my 86 year old mother wanted some Harry and David Cheese and Broccoli soup (which I didn't have) but I... thought to look on FN and lo and behold there was this recipe . I used fresh broccoli just bought yesterday but my thyme is frosted over so I used dry. Took me 30 minutes with my processor and she had hot soup that she likes better than that expensive store-bought. Thanks Emeril for coming through for me once again. Read more
  • recipe Broccoli and Cheese Soup with Croutons
    null null, null 11-09-2009

    Flag

    fantastic!!

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    I used dried thyme... I always prefer fresh herbs but just forgot to pick this one up at the store. It still turned out... great. The croutons are fabulous! This is the best broccoli chedder soup I've found!Read more
  • recipe Broccoli and Cheese Soup with Croutons
    Gretchen Presque Isle, ME 10-30-2009

    Flag

    Only ok

    Rated: 3 stars out of 5
    This soup was simple, 1/2 hour and it's done. That's great. The thyme, however, is overpowering and a flavor I don't care for... with creamy soups. This is so creamy that I actually thinned it out a little because the flavors were too intense. I am looking for a mellow broccoli & cheese soup, this has potential but needs some work. Read more
  • recipe Broccoli and Cheese Soup with Croutons
    Laurel Mars, PA 10-25-2009

    Flag

    Very Good

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    This soup tastes like it's way more difficult than it is. The onions, garlic, thyme and nutmeg give it a little depth that... you don't really expect. I made a couple changes: only blended part of the broccoli so that it remained a little chunky and used half and half instead of heavy cream. We will definitely be eating this soup often this winter.Read more
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