You Don't Need a Secret Badge to Make This: DIY Subway Broccoli Soup
Let's face it, folks, sometimes the craving for that creamy, cheesy, broccoli-licious goodness from Subway hits hard. But who wants to spend those precious lunch dollars when you can whip up a restaurant-worthy replica right at home? Put down the phone, ditch the delivery app, and get ready to become a soup-reme Court (get it? Supreme Court? Soup? No? Okay, moving on).
Gather Your Soup-erhero Supplies:
- The Green Crusaders:
- 2 cups of fresh broccoli florets (or 10 oz bag of frozen, you rebel)
- Don't be shy, add some chopped carrots for extra veggie power!
- The Broth Brigade:
- 4 cups of chicken broth (vegetable broth works too, you do you)
- The Dairy Delight Brigade:
- 2 tablespoons of butter (because butter makes everything better)
- 2 cups of milk (whole milk for ultimate creaminess, but any kind works)
- 1.5 cups of shredded cheddar cheese (sharp cheddar for a bolder flavor, mild for the faint of cheese)
- The Spice Symphony:
- 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour (trust us, this is the secret to thick and luscious soup)
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika – your taste bud's personal cheerleaders
Bonus points for: a sprinkle of cayenne pepper for a touch of heat, a splash of Worcestershire sauce for a deeper flavor, or a handful of chopped fresh herbs for a garden-fresh twist.
Soup-erhero Training: A Step-by-Step Guide
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The Broccoli Bootcamp:
- Wash and chop your broccoli florets (or thaw those frozen soldiers). If you're feeling fancy, roast the broccoli for a deeper flavor, but honestly, we're all about shortcuts here.
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The Roux Revolution:
- In a large pot over medium heat, melt that glorious butter. Once it's all melty and bubbly, whisk in your flour. This magical combo is called a roux, and it's the key to a thick and creamy soup. Cook it for a minute or two, stirring constantly to avoid burning (burnt roux is a culinary tragedy).
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Broth Brigade to the Rescue!
- Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot (those are the good bits, full of flavor!). Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it simmer for a few minutes, like a good meditation session for your taste buds.
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Dairy Delight Brigade Joins the Party:
- Pour in your milk and whisk it all together until it's smooth and creamy. Now, for the main event – gradually add that glorious shredded cheese. Resist the urge to just dump it all in at once! Slowly incorporate it, stirring constantly, until it's melted and melty and glorious.
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Spice Symphony Takes Center Stage:
- Here comes the fun part! Season your soup with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to taste. Don't be shy, give it a good taste and adjust the seasonings to your heart's content. Remember, you're the soup-erhero here!
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The Big Reveal (and Devouring):
- Add your broccoli florets (and carrots, if you included those veggie warriors) to the pot and simmer for another 5-7 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender-crisp.
Finally, the moment you've all been waiting for! Ladle that creamy, cheesy, broccoli-licious goodness into a bowl, grab a spoon, and prepare to be amazed by your own culinary skills. You just made restaurant-quality soup at home, my friend. High fives all around!
