Description
Creamy broccoli and stilton soup blends British comfort with rich, velvety flavors that dance on your palate. Hearty ingredients merge into a luxurious bowl of warmth you’ll savor with pure culinary delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds (1.5 lbs) broccoli (including trimmed stalks)
- 200 grams Stilton or blue cheese
- 30 ounces chicken or vegetable stock
Dairy and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup half and half (or milk + cream)
- 2 shallots, chopped
- 1 tablespoon dry sherry (optional)
Garnish and Spices:
- Stilton crumbles
- Reserved broccoli florets
- Fresh nutmeg or black pepper
Instructions
- Gently caramelize shallots in butter over medium heat until translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Introduce chopped broccoli stalks to the pan, deglaze with sherry, and allow to sizzle for 2 minutes, releasing aromatic flavors.
- Pour in vegetable or chicken stock, reduce heat, and let stalks simmer until completely softened, about 10-12 minutes.
- Add broccoli florets to the pot, cover, and continue simmering for 5-6 minutes until vegetables are tender but retain a vibrant green color.
- Remove from heat and let the mixture cool slightly to prevent potential splashing during blending.
- Transfer soup to a blender and puree until smooth and creamy, creating a velvety texture.
- Return the blended soup to the pot and gradually incorporate stilton cheese and half-and-half, stirring continuously until cheese melts completely.
- Season with salt, white pepper, and a hint of nutmeg to enhance the flavor profile.
- Ladle into warm bowls, garnish with additional stilton crumbles or fresh chives, and serve immediately at a temperature of 160-165°F.
Notes
- Maximize flavor by caramelizing shallots slowly, releasing their sweet undertones without burning.
- Choose a robust Stilton for deeper cheese complexity, ensuring it’s at room temperature for smoother melting.
- Prevent soup separation by adding cheese gradually and stirring continuously during the final stage.
- Adapt for dietary needs by substituting dairy-free butter and using plant-based cheese alternatives for a vegan version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 112
- Calories: 122
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg