Quick and Easy Recipe - Non-Dairy Cream of Broccoli Soup

Makes 4-6 servings

This quick and delicious dairy free soup makes a great beginning to a meal.

To boost the B12 content, here are a few suggestions to go with the soup:

• Bread and cheese
• Salad with feta, ricotta, or cottage cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• An omelet
• Vegan alternatives enriched with B12

Other vegetables may be substituted:

Cauliflower, asparagus, spinach, celery, potato, or combinations. Use the discarded parts in the broth, or save for another day's broth. If you don't want to make stock, use veggie cubes. OR throw half the stock ingredients in with the soup, but be sure to fish them out before blending.

Note: I don't include onions and garlic, because I think that their strong flavors don't belong in a delicate cream soup. Include them if you must, but go easy, and saute gently for 10 minutes in oil before adding. Any of these changes will make your soup taste different, but hey! It is your soup!

Ingredients:

• 3 medium Broccoli stalks, peeled, and florets (about 6 cups)
• 3 cups vegetable soup stock (recipe below)
• One half cup chopped parsley
• Up to 1 teaspoon salt
• One half teaspoon crushed dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 3 Tablespoons olive oil
• 3 Tablespoons flour
• 2 cups plain rice milk fortified with Vitamin B12, Calcium and Vitamin D
• Fresh ground pepper

Putting it together:

1. Peel broccoli stems. Chop stems and florets into small pieces.
2. Place broccoli into stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until tender.
3. With a slotted spoon, remove one cup of broccoli florets. Set aside.
4. Place remaining broccoli, liquid, parsley, thyme, rosemary, and salt in blender or put solids through a foodmill, or mash and strain. Puree until smooth. Set aside.
5. White sauce: Heat the olive oil in the soup pan. Add the flour and cook on low for ten minutes. Stir in rice milk with a whisk, bring to a boil then simmer till thickened, stirring constantly with the whisk. This is important - other wise your sauce will be lumpy. If that happens, blend itor put it through a seive.
6. Stir in broccoli puree and florets. Adjust salt if needed, and grate pepper in to taste.
7. Heat gently (don't boil). Serve immediately.

Soup Stock:

• Note - This can be made a day ahead.
• 6 - 8 c. water
• 2 - 3 slices peeled fresh ginger
• 1 or two bay leaves
• 1 - 2 carrots, cut in chunks
• 2 - 3 stalks celery
• 1 handful of parsley
• Bring to a boil. Simmer covered for 30 min. - 1 hr
• Drain off the broth, and freeze what you don't use for another day's soup

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