Soup's On!

http://myblessedlife.net/2010/03/broccoli-cheddar-soup-panera-style.html I made this soup tonight and it was really good! I altered some of the ingredients because I just didn't have them on hand.. Broccoli Cheddar Soup – Panera Style 2 T. Butter, melted *1 large onion, chopped 1/2 c. butter, melted 1/2 c. all purpose flour *4 c. half and half *4 c. chicken broth *1 lb. fresh broccoli *2 cups, julienned carrots salt and pepper, to taste 1/2 t. nutmeg 16 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, grated Saute onion in butter. Set aside. Whisk butter and flour over medium heat for 3-5 minutes. Stir constantly and slowly add half and half. Add chicken stock, still whisking. Simmer 20 minutes. Add broccoli, carrots and onion. Cook over low heat until veggies are tender – about 20-25 minutes. Add salt and pepper. The soup will have thickened by now. Carefully transfer soup mixture to blender and puree. Return soup to pot (or crockpot) over low heat. Add cheese. Stir until well blended. Add nutmeg right before serving. Makes 8-10 servings. Enjoy! Instead of 1 large onion, I added about 3 TBSP. of dehydrated onion. Instead of half and half, I added 2 cans of cream of chicken soup along with 6 cans of water, this also substituted for the chicken broth as well. Instead of fresh broccoli, I used a package of chopped frozen broccoli. Lastly, instead of julienned carrots, I used about 1/4 c. of dehydrated. I own a Vita Mix, so it was super pureed by the time I was done with it, and there were no little nice flecks of green like in Myra's picture. My husband commented that it looked like mustard...but everyone had seconds and thirds, so it must have been good! I am currently sick with what I think is the flu...but what I could taste was pretty yummy!