Description
Broccoli and Stilton soup combines green vegetables and bold cheese for a warming bowl that’s both comforting and punchy.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 800 grams (28.2 ounces) broccoli
- 200 grams (7.1 ounces) Stilton cheese, crumbled
- 800 milliliters (27 fluid ounces) chicken or vegetable stock
Dairy and Flavor Enhancers:
- 600 milliliters (20.3 fluid ounces) milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 2 shallots or 1 small onion, finely chopped
- Nutmeg, to finish
Instructions
- Gently melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, carefully sweating shallots until translucent and fragrant.
- Finely dice broccoli stalks and introduce them to the pan, allowing them to sauté for approximately one minute to release their subtle flavors.
- Pour in vegetable stock and milk, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer and letting the stalks soften completely, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Incorporate broccoli florets and crumble most of the Stilton cheese into the liquid, covering the pan and allowing ingredients to meld together on low heat for 5 minutes.
- Take the pan off the heat and let it cool slightly to avoid splatter while blending.
- Use an immersion blender or standard blender to puree the soup until silky smooth and creamy in texture.
- Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed, ensuring balanced flavors.
- Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls, garnishing with remaining Stilton crumbles and a delicate sprinkle of freshly grated nutmeg.
- Serve immediately while piping hot, accompanied by crusty bread for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Choose firm, fresh broccoli with vibrant green color for maximum flavor and nutrition.
- Slice broccoli stalks thinly to ensure they cook evenly and blend smoothly.
- Use low-sodium stock to control salt levels and let Stilton’s rich flavor shine through.
- Opt for room temperature Stilton to help it melt more evenly into the soup.
- For a lighter version, swap full-fat milk with skimmed or plant-based alternatives like almond milk.
- Vegetarians can replace butter with olive oil and use vegetable stock for a meat-free option.
- Enhance soup’s creaminess by adding a dollop of Greek yogurt or crème fraîche when serving.
- Garnish with toasted pumpkin seeds or crispy breadcrumbs for added texture and crunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 298 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg