Bacon, Broccoli & Cheddar Soup

Bacon, Broccoli & Cheddar Soup

makes 8- 10 cups

takes about 1 1/2 hours

-what you need-

• 1 pound of bacon cooked and crumbled
• 2 Tbs olive oil (or sub with bacon fat)
• 1 medium onion
• 3/4 stick butter
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup flour + 2 Tbs
• 4 cups vegetable broth (or sub with chicken broth)
• 3 cups milk
• 2 heads of broccoli, chopped
• 1 large carrot, shredded or use 1 1/2 cups bagged carrot match sticks
• 1 tsp fresh black pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 12 ounces fresh grated sharp cheddar (use the block)

-what to do-

1. Cook your bacon until crispy. I cubed and cooked my bacon in a large pot. We want the bits left behind for the soup. When bacon has cooked, remove and let drain on paper towel.
2. Reserve 2 Tbs of the bacon grease and in same pot heat to medium low heat.
3. Next add in your butter and chopped onion and cook until translucent, scraping up the browned bits in the pot from the bacon, about 15 minutes. 
4. Next add in your garlic and cook another 5 minutes. 
5. Add in your flour, stir and cook for another 10 minutes until thick and bubbly. 
6. Next add in your vegetable broth, milk and seasonings, mix until combined and thickened about another 10 minutes.
7. Add in your broccoli and carrot, stir and cover over low heat for 15 minutes. Make sure to stir occasionally.
8. Add more salt to taste if needed. If you want a thicker soup take 2 Tbs flour and add some of the hot soup liquid to it, whisking until thick paste is formed and add back to the soup.
9. Over low heat, add in 10 ounces of your shredded cheddar cheese and almost all of your crumbled crispy bacon. Mix and heat through for 5 minutes.
10. Now ready to serve. Ladle your soup into bowls, garnish with your reserved bacon, and cheese. Serve with some crusty bread and ENJOY!!!!

What kind of music does broccoli listen to?

Broc and Roll.