Broccoli Soup | Slimming Friendly

ON THE HOB

1. Mist a large lidded pot with olive oil cooking spray. Add the onion and leeks and cook over low heat for 5 minutes. Add a splash of stock if the pot gets too dry.
2. Stir in the potatoes, minced garlic, salt, pepper, mustard powder and cook for 2 minutes.
3. Add the vegetable stock and bring to a rolling simmer. Reduce the heat and cook for 5 minutes.
4. Add the broccoli, partially cover the pot and cook for 10 minutes or until the broccoli is tender when pierced with a knife.
5. Don’t forget to remove and discard the bay leaf! Use an immersion blender to blitz the soup until it is smooth. (Alternatively transfer to a blender and blitz).
6. Stir in the milk and cheese and simmer for a couple of minutes until warmed through. Check the seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste. Add a little freshly grated nutmeg.
7. Serve with a little extra grated cheese and garnish with chopped parsley or mint.

INSTANT POT METHOD

1. Select Sauté and mist the pot with cooking spray. Add the onion and beef once hot and cook for five minutes, stirring constantly. Add a splash of stock if the pot gets too dry.
2. Stir in the potatoes, bay leaf, minced garlic, salt, pepper, mustard powder and cook for 2 minutes. Add the vegetable stock then seal the pot. Cook on HIGH PRESSURE for 10 minutes.
3. Release the steam manually and open the lid. Use an immersion blender to blitz until smooth.
4. Stir in the milk and cheese. Select Sauté and cook for a couple of minutes until warmed through. Check the seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste. Add a little freshly grated nutmeg and serve.

SOUP MAKER METHOD

Suitable for 1.6L soup maker - do not overfill!

1. LEAVE OUT THE BAY LEAF! Put all the chopped vegetables in the soup maker in order listed and top with vegetable stock filling only to the maximum line indicated.
2. Select the ‘smooth’ soup programme which will cook and blend your soup.
3. Pour the soup into a pot and stir in the milk the cheese, simmer for a couple of minutes until warmed through before serving.