Broccoli/Cauliflower Cheese Soup

I love making soup because it's so hard to mess up.  Chopped up broccoli and cauliflower in the fridge = broccoli cauliflower soup.  So this recipe is not exactly vegan because I used regular butter and then my daughter added cheese to her soup.  But like I said before we are taking baby steps.  At least she ate a big nutritious bowl of broccoli and cauliflower.  My hubby said it didn't need the cheese, it was already cheesy enough.

 Broccoli nutrition facts: The good: This food is very low in Saturated Fat and Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Protein, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Thiamin, Riboflavin, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, phosphorus and Selenium, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Folate, Potassium and Manganese.
Read More http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2356/2#ixzz1jftWSt5k

Cauliflower nutrition facts: The good: This food is low in Saturated Fat, and very low in Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Protein, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Phosphorus and potassium, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6,                                                                                                     Folate, Pantothenic Acid and Manganese.

Read More http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2391/2#ixzz1jftw95v9

So there you have it several good reasons to eat your broccoli and cauliflower.  I omitted the cheese and actually used nutritional yeast to give it the cheesy flavor.  Nutritional yeast is a good source of protein, low in sodium, and zero saturated fat unlike cheddar cheese which is extremely high in saturated fat and sodium.  

The verdict: The hubby said,"good soup, babe".  9 yr. old ate it and said mmm but then added shredded cheddar to her bowl.  7 yr. old had a scowl on his face licked the spoon and spit. 4 yr. old won't even get near it.  The veggie monster likes it of course and the baby well she's not old enough to enjoy this yet.  

Broccoli Cauliflower Cheese Soup

1 head of broccoli and half a head of cauliflower chopped

1 onion chopped

2 garlic cloves

2 vegetable bouillon cubes

1 cup nutritional yeast (can use shredded cheddar)

1 cup unbleached flour

4 T butter (or vegan butter)

8 cups water

1T + 1 tsp. salt 

pepper to taste

Steam your broccoli, cauliflower, and onion about 15 min. or until soft.  In a big pot add in your dry ingredients: butter (first let it melt) then add the nutritional yeast, flour, and salt.  Whisk in water and turn heat on med/high.  Put in minced garlic. Put in bouillon cubes and continue stirring until it thickens to desired consistency. Add broccoli, cauliflower,  and onion.  Mix and serve hot.