Cream of Broccoli Soup with Salt Pork and Sharp Cheddar Cheese - Recipe

     How does one get their kids or husband, for that matter, to eat broccoli and be happy about it?  Asking too much?  I think not.  Try this creamy, cheesy soup loaded with salt pork and flavor!  Yes, the secret weapon is first and foremost salt pork, an often underused powerhouse of flavor that can make a fabulous base for so many  dishes.  I use lean salt pork that has about 1/3 fat and 2/3 meat, so I render enough fat and flavor to sauté my vegetables and also get the wonderful chunks of pork.  Next up are organic vegetables which are more flavorful that conventional and a good chicken broth (preferably not from a can).  Make your own or buy an organic broth.  A sharp cheddar cheese that is very sharp and heavy cream that is preferably grass fed are the final touches that make all the difference.  Don't feel too guilty about the cream, we only are adding 1/2 cup to the whole pot.  Each serving gets only 1/12 of a cup, yet it makes a huge difference in the final product.  Nothing does it better than cream.

Cream of Broccoli Soup with Salt Pork and Sharp Cheddar Cheese

(Serves 6)

3/4 lb. Salt Pork cut into (1/2-inch) cubes

1 Onion chopped

3 Ribs Celery chopped

3 Carrots peeled and chopped

2 Potatoes peeled, and cut into (1/2-inch) cubes

4 c. Chicken Broth

1 lb. Broccoli cut into soup spoon size pieces

8 oz. Sharp Cheddar Cheese grated with the larger wholes of a cheese grater

3 T. Regular All Purpose Flour

1/2 c. Heavy Whipping Cream

Salt to taste (usually not necessary!)

     Fry the salt pork in a large Dutch oven or stock pot on medium heat until it begins to turn golden.  Add the onion, celery, and carrots and sauté until the onion is translucent.  Add the potatoes and sauté for two minutes.  Add the chicken broth and broccoli.  Cover and simmer on low for 5-10 minutes just until the potatoes and broccoli are al dente.  Mix the flour and cheese in a bowl, then add to the soup stirring on low until the cheese melts and lightly simmer for a minute stirring constantly.  Add the cream and stir until creamy and smooth.  Taste and add salt if needed.  Serve immediately.

Browning the salt pork.

Sautéing the vegetables.

Adding the broccoli.

Stirring in the cheese.

Adding the cream.