Panera broccoli cheese soup, LIGHT

medium sweet onion, chopped fine
1 medium carrot, julienned
2 cups broccoli crowns, steamed
5 TBL salted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups fat-free half and half
2 cups chicken broth
8 oz. grated Velveeta cheese or cheddar cheese

Take one TBL butter, melt it and saute chopped onion in it. Set aside cooked onion. Meanwhile, steam the broccoli then drain and set aside. Put other 4 TBL butter in Dutch oven on stove, melt and add the flour, stirring until consistency of paste. Add the half and half, while stirring constantly. Then add the chicken broth and continue stirring to keep it smooth. Simmer this for 20 minutes. Add in the broccoli, onions and carrots after this time and simmer for 20-25 more minutes. Add grated cheese at the end, stir in and serve when ready. Delicious with crusty French bread.

Serving Size: avg. bowl

Number of Servings: 6

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user BETHTIFER.