Broccoli Cheese Soup

Sometimes I think my oldest son is a 35 year-old in a 9 year-old's body. One of those times is when he and I have alone time together and I take him out for lunch. Where does he ask to go, you wonder? McDonalds, Chick-Fil-A, Taco Bell? Nope, the kid has one request only:  Broccoli Cheese Soup at Panera. Isn't he the best?! It's awesome that we can connect and bond through our shared love of this wonderful soup that delivers on all counts:  velvety, smooth, rich, creamy and warming. We'll sit at Panera, barely talking, slurping up our soup and having a keen old time. Afterwards he doesn't even ask for a cookie or pastry for dessert (did I mention this soup will fill you up?); we usually head to the Lego store (he prefers the Panera at the mall) for some browsing. Maybe it's not really the soup, maybe it's the Lego store he's really after. Hmmmm.....

My version of broccoli cheese soup uses skim milk, frozen broccoli (no one will know, promise!), Velveeta "cheese" (you know you want it) and sharp cheddar cheese which makes it skinnier, yet still as flavorful as any restaurant's version. Everything is cooked together then pureed with an immersion blender or food processor until it is the silky consistency we all love. Perfect for a cold winter night (or in my son's case any night) this will warm your heart and fill your belly without all the guilt. And at this time of the year, what more could we ask for?

Broccoli Cheese Soup (adapted from thepioneerwoman.com)

4 T. unsalted butter
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1/4 c. all purpose flour
4 c. skim milk
2 c. fat free half and half
2 lb. frozen broccoli florets
1/8 t. nutmeg
2 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
2 c. shredded Velveeta cheese
1 c. shredded low fat sharp cheddar cheese

Melt butter in a large soup pot over medium heat then add the onion. Cook the onions for 3-4 minutes then sprinkle with the flour. Stir to combine and cook for 1 minute then pour in the milk and half and half, whisking to combine. Add the broccoli, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Cover and simmer on medium low heat for 20-30 minutes or until the broccoli is tender. Turn off the heat, stir in the cheese and allow to melt. Puree with an immersion blender or in batches in a food processor. Taste for seasonings and serve!

8 servings (288 calories each serving) according to my calculator on loseit.com