Broccoli Cheddar Soup

1 Bunch Broccoli finely chopped including stems
1.5 cups carrots finely chopped
2 cups onion finely chopped
2 garlic cloves finely chopped
6 cups Chicken Broth
1 cup White Rice
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp black pepper
2 fresh bay leaves
2 cups Heavy Whipping Cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

*Optional: 2 tbsp Curry powder
** You can substitute the Heavy Cream for 2 cups Skim milk and that will cut a lot of calories out since its 45 calories a tbsp for the heavy cream.

Chop all vegetables and garlic. In a 5 qt Soup Pot, Add Chopped Vegetables, Salt, Pepper, white rice, Curry Powder*, and bay leaves to pot and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 40 mins. Add Cream and continue cooking for additional 15 mins. Stir in cheese and allow to stand for five mins. Remove bay leaves before serving.

Enjoy!

Number of Servings: 12

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user L.M.LEE.