Broccoli Soup Mac and Cheese

I made a big pot of cream of broccoli soup (with a little cheese) using the stems of the plant.  (Note to self: next time follow the directions and peel the stems).  With 2 quarts of soup left over I had to think of something.  And I did.  

Broccoli Soup Mac and Cheese
Several servings 

2 quarts broccoli cheese soup
1 pound processed cheese
2 pounds of macaroni 
Milk as needed

Heat soup and add cheese until melted.  The soup was still to runny so I added 1 pound of the macaroni to the soup to cook.  I let it simmer for a bit then covered it and let it sit until cooked, about 30 min.  Meanwhile cooked the other pound according to directions.  Add to macaroni soup mixture.  The concoction ended up being to thick so then I had to add milk.  Next time, if there is one, I will cook all the pasta in water and add to the soup already cooked. 

Flowering Broccoli

If you wait too long to pick broccoli it will flower because, well, it's a flower.  But don't worry, it's still edible.  Good thing because I was going to eat it anyway.  

Broccoli Flower Soup
From cooks.com

3 c. chopped broccoli tops
3 qts. water
1 med. onion, chopped
4 tbsp. chicken base (dry)
2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. season salt
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1 tbsp. apple cider or 2 t. vanilla extract (substitute for 1 T. cooking sherry)
1 c. milk
1 c. Ranch dressing
1/4 c. sour cream
6 strips of uncooked bacon
1 to 1 1/2 c. flour

Bring 3 quarts of water to boil and add broccoli, chicken base, garlic, pepper, season salt, Worcestershire, nutmeg. Boil 20 minutes uncovered. While water is boiling chop onion and mince up bacon strips and fry on medium high until bacon is crisp (without burning the onions). Then add flour to bacon, onion and bacon grease until it is a thick paste. Remove from heat and set aside.
 
Lower heat on boiling broccoli to medium (nice low rolling boil). Add Ranch dressing, milk, and sour cream while constantly stirring with wire whip. Then slowly add bacon, onion, flour mixture until soup thickens, simmer on low for 10 minutes and add apple cider (or other choice) . Serve hot with bread sticks or crackers.

Aged Velveeta

You know, like aged to perfection.  Not like something that has been sitting around for years.  Wait, that is aged.  Oh yeah, so Velveeta, only better. 

Cheesy Dip or Potato Topper
Great served with Fritos

1 stick butter or margarine 
1 small package Mexican Velveeta (16 oz)
1 box broccoli, cooked according to directions. (10 oz)
1 small can mushrooms (4 oz)
1 can cream of mushroom soup

Melt butter in saucepan.  Add cheese and melt.  Stir in soup.  Stir in broccoli and mushrooms.  Serve warm. Crock pot works well. 

If I can't find Mexican Velveeta or I am using what I have dug up on hand, I will use regular Velveeta and add one jar of salsa or one can of stewed tomatoes per 2 pounds of cheese used or to taste.  

Old Broccoli

Who doesn't have it from time to time? Turn it into this yummy soup.

Panera Bread Broccoli Cheese Soup 
From CDKitchen.com
Serves 4

1 tablespoon butter, melted
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups half-and-half
2 cups chicken stock or bouillon
1/2 pound fresh broccoli
1 cup carrots, julienned or diced
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Hot sauce (optional)
Dijon mustard (optional)
8 ounces grated sharp cheddar

Saute onion in butter. Set aside. Cook melted butter and flour using a whisk over medium heat for 3-5 minutes. Stir constantly and slowly add the half-and-half (this is called making a roux). Add the chicken stock whisking all the time. Simmer for 20 minutes.

Add the broccoli, carrots and onions. Cook over low heat until the veggies are tender for 20-25 minutes. Add salt and pepper. Add a few dashes of hot sauce and a tablespoon of Dijon mustard for more flavor if desired. The soup should be thickened by now.
Pour in batches into blender and puree. (optional)
Return to pot over low heat and add the grated cheese; stir until well blended. Stir in the nutmeg and serve.

Separating Slaw Sauce

This was on sale for 99 cents. I bought 44 of them. Last year. You can only eat so much slaw. Using it up in other dishes. Like broccoli salad. This is a flexible recipe. Add/remove/substitute whatever you like.

Broccoli Salad

1 large head of broccoli cut into flowerettes
1 cup sunflower seeds (toasted almonds or pine nuts work too)
1 cup raisins (dried cherries or cranberries)
1/2 cup chopped green onions (or red onion)
3-6 slices bacon crumbled or 1/2 bottle of bacon bits
1 cup frozen peas (optional)
1/2 cup cheese (optional)

Dressing:

1 cup mayonnaise
3 T. red wine vinegar or cider vinegar
1/3 cup sugar

In a small bowl combine the mayonnaise, sugar, and vinegar. Stir briskly until almost all of the sugar is dissolved. (It won’t all dissolve, yet). Pour over the broccoli mixture and toss or stir to coat. Cover and chill for at least an hour before serving to allow flavors to blend. If you don't like the taste of broccoli, blanch the broccoli for 1 – 2 minutes in boiling water. Drain, then plunge the florets into ice water. This will get rid of the raw broccoli taste, but keep enough crunch to make this a pleasing cold salad.

I substitute the slaw dressing instead of making my own. The Marzetti's is on the vinegary side so I still add about 1/4 c. of sugar to it.