"creamy" Broccoli Soup

Total Time: 55 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1/2 cup minute rice, uncooked
• 2 medium carrots, peeled, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 -2 garlic clove, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 1/4 cups chicken broth (i use homemade stuff, but canned is fine, try using low sodium)
• 2 cups water
• 4 -4 1/2 cups fresh broccoli, cut into 3-inch lengths (about 2 small bunches of broccoli)
• 2 cups skim milk
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (the lower fat shaker stuff is fine)
• salt and pepper (to taste) (optional)

Recipe

• 1 heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. add carrots, onion, garlic and celery.
• 2 add chicken broth and water. bring to a boil.
• 3 stir in broccoli and rice and reduce heat to medium low. simmer 10-15 minutes or until veggies are tender. stir frequently.
• 4 take small batches of soup and put in a food processor or blender. blend until pureed. return all blended soup back to pot. add salt and pepper if you're going to.
• 5 add milk and cheese and cook until heated through.