cream of broccoli soup

4 Broccoli tops chopped
1 grated carrot
1 diced stalk celery
1 diced or grated medium onion
3 strips bacon
1 package cream cheese
1.5 cups cheddar cheese
1 32 oz box chicken stock, and 1/2 box chicken stock
black pepper to taste
ground white pepper to taste
crystal hot sauce
ground red pepper

Total prep time is about 45 minutes. Cook time 20-30 minutes.

cook bacon, set aside (chop bacon during soup cook time). combine carrot, onion, and celery in pot with bacon grease and sauté 4-5 minutes. add 1 box chicken stock and chopped broccoli. bring to boil. while vegetable mixture is boiling, combine 1/2 cup chicken stock and cream cheese in small skillet and mix over medium heat until smooth and creamy. add cream cheese mixture to broccoli mixture. continue boiling about 2 minutes then reduce heat to medium low. Once broccoli is tender (about 10 more minutes) puree soup mixture then return to stove. Add remaining chicken stock to pot, mix well. Add black pepper, white pepper, hot sauce, red pepper to taste. Add 1.5 cups of grated cheese. stir until cheese is thoroughly melted. garnish with bacon pieces.

Serving Size: makes 5 bowls