Broccoli and Cheese Soup

I know I say this too often now, that this again is another of my quick and easy recipe. What can I do I just fall in love with recipes which could be made in a jiffy and still taste delicious. I have used Ragu cheesy double cheddar sauce in this recipe. You could use Cheddar cheese or Velvetta cheese if you do not have this. Enjoy this soup. 

Ingredients :

• 3 cups Broccoli florets (steamed or blanched) *
• 1/2 cup Ragu Cheesy double Cheddar sauce
• 1 small red onion finely chopped
• 2-3 cloves of garlic minced
• 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
• 1/4 cup All purpose flour
• 2 cups low fat milk
• 2-3 tbsp butter
• black pepper
• salt

* If you want to save some more time, just cook/steam the broccoli in microwave for 3-4 minutes. I just wash the broccoli and cook/steam it covered. No need to add any water as when you wash the broccoli it will retain some water. 

Preparation :

• In a saucepan melt butter on medium heat. Add onion and garlic and saute till you no longer get the raw smell.
•  Add  flour and mix it really well and cook it for about couple minutes ( Keep stirring continuously or else the flour will stick to the bottom of the pan and will burn easily.) The flour will get a beautiful golden color
•  Add milk and mix it well making sure no lumps are formed. Next add the vegetable broth and bring it to a boil. Add your broccoli and season with salt and pepper. Cover and let it cook for about 4-5 minutes.     
• Finally add the Ragu cheesy double Cheddar Sauce. Mix it well. Let it simmer for about 2-3 minutes. Your Broccoli and Cheese soup is ready to be served. This recipe serves 4.    

Irish Potato Soup

This is an easy soup to make with all ingredients available in your pantry. Now I would presume that Potato is an universally loved vegetable. Every cuisine has some use for this wonderful vegetable. Did you know that Potatoes are the world's fourth largest food crop, following rice, wheat and maize. Well how do you think I know, just read it at our valuable and reliable source which is Wikipedia. Read More about potatoes here.

Also the Irish Potato Soup has a lot of variations. Some use celery and leeks in the soup as well.

Ingredients:

• 4-5 medium size potatoes peeled and cubed
• 1 cup red onion chopped
• 2-3 cloves of garlic chopped
• small piece of ginger
• 1-2 green chillies chopped (optional)
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup milk
• freshly crushed black pepper
• salt to taste
• 5-6 cups vegetable stock or water

Preparation:

• Heat butter in a thick bottomed pan. Add the Bay leaves. Then Saute the onions ,garlic and ginger till about golden brown.

• Add the green chillies and diced potatoes. Fry for about 2 minutes.
• Add the vegetable stock/water . Season with salt and pepper and cook covered for about 25 -30 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
• Now carefully remove the bay leaves and puree the rest in a Blender.
• Transfer it back to the pan and add milk and stir it well. Let it simmer for about 2-3 minutes.
• Adjust the seasoning. Ready to serve. This recipe serves 4.