chowDUH: a simple and delicous broccoli chowder

ok ok, before you think anything, i know this looks like split pea soup - but i promise it's not. i made the mistake of pureeing it a little too much, hence the similar characteristics of baby food.  but don't let its appearance fool you - it was scrumptious! i got this recipe from eatingwell.com and you would never know that there is no cream or milk in it. there was also a nice subtle hint of heat from the cayenne pepper. definitely add this to your repertoire for those extra cold nights when all you want to do is cozy up.

ingredients:
evoo
s&p
1 onion, minced
1 large carrot, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1 large potato, peeled and diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 cups chicken broth
4 cups broccoli crowns
1 cup shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese
1/2 cup reduced fat sour cream

directions:
heat evoo in dutch oven over medium-high heat.  add onion, celery and carrot. season with s&p. cook about 6 minutes, until onion begins to soften. add potato and garlic to pot and cook for another 2 minutes. stir in flour, cayenne and dry mustard. cook for 2 minutes. add broth and broccoli; bring to a boil. cover and reduce heat to medium low and let simmer for 20 minutes. remove 2 cups of soup into a bowl and mash and then return to pan. now here's where i messed up - instead of doing this step, i put an immersion blender right in the dutch oven and pureed it.  note to reader - don't do what i did! 

next stir in cheddar, sour cream and s&p until heated through.  garnish with dollop of sour cream and more cheese if you please. serve alongside grilled cheese sandwiches. enjoy!

shout out to suzanne for coming up with the catchy title of this post.