Cream of Broccoli Soup

Every Wednesday night at my house is soup night. We all decide on a soup and try to make something new each week. With soup it's really not that hard. There are a million soups and often times I find myself using up veggies and other ingredients I have on hand in the fridge and pantry.

This is a great way to get kids to eat broccoli. My kids are pretty good about eating veggies but broccoli is not one of them. They can't see whole pieces of broccoli since this is blended and they love it!

This recipe is modified slightly from the book - CIA Book of Soups. You can find it at Barnes and Noble or on Amazon.

Cream of Broccoli Soup
1 16oz pkg broccoli
3 T. olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 small celery stalks, chopped
1/4 c. flour
4-5 c. chicken broth
1/2 c. milk
salt and pepper to taste
juice of half a lemon

In a large stock pot heat oil and add broccoli, onion and celery. Cook until veggies are tender. I like to use the organic packages of fresh broccoli. I can't find organic any other way but you could substitute regular fresh broccoli, just weigh it to get an approximate amount.

Add in flour and stir to combine. Cook 3-5 minutes to cook off the flour taste making sure the flour doesn't burn.

Add in broth, stir again to combine. Let simmer 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat. Using an immersion blender (my favorite new kitchen item) blend soup until it is smooth. I got my Cuisinart SmartStick Immersion Blender at Sur la Table but you can find then just about anywhere. If you don't have an immersion blender transfer soup to a blender and blend.

Return to heat and add milk. Stir to combine. Add lemon juice, salt and pepper. Serve hot with a little sprinkle of your favorite cheese!

Grilled Meatballs

This meatball grill basket seriously takes meatballs to a whole new level. When grilled they have a perfect crust on the outside that keeps the inside juicy and tender. I'm not sure I can eat a meatball any other way now. I'm ruined! Who knew?

This grill basket is from Sur La Table (I think they are currently unavailable) but they do have one that's similar at Williams Sonoma.

Grilled Meatballs
1 lb ground beef
1 egg
1 t. salt
1 t. black pepper
3 T. milk
1/4 c. bread crumbs
2 T. fresh parsley - finely minced
4 cloves garlic - finely minced
1/4 onion - finely minced

In a medium mixing bowl whisk egg. Add milk, bread crumbs, salt and pepper. Let soak for 3-5 minutes. Add in ground beef, parsley, onion, garlic. Mix just to combine. Do not over mix. Roll into round balls to fit a meatball grill basket. Makes 12 large meatballs.

Heat gas grill to 400 degrees F. Grill 10 minutes each side.

Serve with your favorite pasta and sauce or slice meatballs and serve on a bun with marinara and provolone for a tasty meatball sandwich.