Broccoli Cheddar Soup-Panera Style

• I've been asked a few times in recent weeks for a recipe for my Broccoli Cheddar Soup and well folks, I'm finally getting around to sharing it! Now I have to admit I almost never measure out anything unless I'm baking so uh, proceed with caution! ;) I also don't have any hip pictures of this dish except for this one picture from my lousy camera phone, sorry, but I promise...it's delish!

This recipe served 6 people with a enough for a few seconds so alter as needed.

INGREDIENTS: 

• 2 medium bunches of fresh broccoli
• 4 cups chicken broth (I used bouillon cubes and water since that's what I had on hand) 
• 1 large onion-chopped
• 1 - 1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tsp (2 cloves) minced garlic (maybe a a little more-we love our garlic over here)
• 16 oz (1 carton or 2 cups) half and half
• 4-5 tbsp flour (add a little more or less to your likening of the thickness of the soup)
• 4-6 tbsp butter
• 1-2 bay leaves for some extra flavor (optional)
• 
  
• SPICES: These are probably pretty good estimates but don't forget to taste as you go!
• 
  
• ¼ allspice
• ¼ ground nutmeg (optional)
• ¼dried basil
• ¼ cayenne pepper (I honestly know it was more than this but my Husby likes things SPICY so yeah..)
• ¼ salt
• a few dashes of ground black pepper
• 
  
• 1. Chop, shred and dice those veggies! Leave a few bigger chunks of the broccoli to add in for some yummy, chunkier bites.

2. Warm your chicken broth in a pot on med heat and slowly add in your carrots, onion, garlic and bay leaves (the leaves you'll remove later). Simmer for about 15 minutes or until the onion is almost clear and the veggies are cooked through.

3. On the side in a larger pot melt  your butter and whisk. Continue to whisk as you add in your flour.

4. Once your flour is all mixed in add your veggie/chicken broth mixture.

5. Stir in your half in half. I did about a cup at a time and let simmer on low heat.

6. Stir in the spices and this is where I removed the bay leaves. It was a task trying to find them though!

7. I put the soup into sourdough bread bowls and we used the tops to dip in the soup or add a little butter to to eat that way. 

8. I topped it off with the cheddar cheese and dug on in!


Ps, I can't take ALL the credit for this yummy-ness I searched Pinterest high and low for some ideas and put the best  of what I saw into one great recipe!