Cooking Lesson #199 Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup

I see some of our fellow citizens are finally going back to work. I think many of the changes we made in our lives over the last several months will stick around including preparing our own meals.

Many of our readers have finally figured out what to do with the Instant Pot they got for Christmas a couple of years ago. If you don’t have the time or inclination to cook for the family for a week over a weekend you can conjure things up in minutes with your Instant Pot. I am using mine more than ever.
 
No matter what the weather, I love soup. Even on the hottest summer day, a bowl of soup seems to make me cooler. My recipe for Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup is thick and cheesy with and loaded with broccoli. This recipe is easy to double to insure you have enough for later in the week. 
 
Prep time:  15 minutes
Cook time:  15 minutes
Yield:  4 to 6 servings
 
Ingredients
To make the soup
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup diced yellow onion
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup diced potatoes
1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 cups chicken broth
1-1/2-pounds chopped broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
 
To thicken the soup
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup butter
 
To finish the soup
6 ounces Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 1/2 cups)
4 ounces Monterey jack cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
2 cups half and half
 
To garnish the soup
4 to 6 whole broccoli florets, microwaved
6 teaspoons shredded Cheddar cheese
 
Directions

1. Before starting, measure all your ingredients and have at your side.
2. Prepare all the vegetables and shred the cheeses.
3. Turn on the Instant Pot SAUTÉ setting. When hot, add the butter and olive oil.
4. Add the onion and cook for a 4-minutes.
5. Add the carrots and the potatoes and cook for 3-minutes to soften.
6. Add the black pepper, red pepper flakes, salt, nutmeg and garlic. Cook for a couple minutes, stirring continuously.
7. Add the broth and stir.
8. Add the broccoli, but don't stir. Put the lid on and lock it in place. Make sure the steam release is sealed.
9. CANCEL the SAUTÉ function. Then press the PRESSURE COOK button. Then the + or - to select 5 MINUTES on HIGH PRESSURE.
10. When the cooking cycle is finished, allow for a 5-MINUTE NATURAL RELEASE.
11. Turn OFF the Instant Pot.
12. Use a stick blender (immersion blender) to breakdown all the veggies.
13. Mix the flour and butter together in a microwave safe dish and microwave for 15 seconds. Then mix very well until it is smooth.
14. Turn the SAUTÉ setting ON and mix in the flour/butter mixture and stir until it starts to thicken.
15. Stir in the cheeses.
16. CANCEL the SAUTÉ function and add in the half and half. Stir well.
17. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
18. Portion out the soup and garnish each bowl with some shredded cheese and a broccoli floret or two.

ChefSecret:  If you don’t have a stick blender you can use a blender, but don’t fill it any more than half full to prevent splash over and burns. If you prefer a thinner soup, reduce the amount of "thickener" you add.

Covid-19 Quip of the Day:  “And, it’s starting all over again… Due to the recent worsening of an outbreak of Stupidity and Panic-Purchasing by complete idiots, the nation is again experiencing a shortage of toilet paper and common sense. Expect supplies to be replenished once these sheep-minded morons have all starved to death in their homes surrounded by toilet paper, but without anything to eat.”
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong and positive, stay well and safe and be kind to others. If you have a little extra in your pockets to share with others at this difficult time, please consider donating to Feeding America. Thanks for reading.

#Soup #InstantPot #BroccoliCheddarSoup #CreamOfBroccoliSoup #Broccoli #Cheddar #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 

                                             ©Perspectives/The Consulting Group, Inc., 2020

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