2011_10_25-BroccoliSoup1.jpgIt may not be the prettiest, but this pureed soup more than makes up for its homely appearance with the deep flavors of roasted broccoli and extra-sharp cheddar cheese, and a creamy-yet-cream-free texture. Best of all, it all comes together in about 30 minutes, making it a quick and easy weeknight dinner option.

2011_10_25-BroccoliSoup2.jpgThis soup was born on a hungry weeknight, when I was looking for a meal made with ingredients I almost always keep on hand. When cool-weather vegetables start dominating the farmers' market, my crisper always holds bunches of dark-green broccoli and fat, sandy leeks. My husband's life-long devotion to extra-sharp white cheddar cheese means there is always a block in the cheese drawer. And there's always a potato lurking around the kitchen somewhere.

But the beauty of this soup — and of soup in general — is its flexibility. I've made it with vegetable stock, chicken stock and plain water. I've skimped on the broccoli and used more potato. I've started with onion or green garlic in place of the leek. And every rendition is good: creamy, bursting with broccoli, with a sharp edge of cheddar peeking out.

2011_10_25-BroccoliSoup3.jpgRoasting the broccoli adds a depth that plain boiled broccoli just doesn't have. If you are using a bunch of broccoli with stalks that are tender and sweet, chop up the excess stalks and roast them as well. If you love roasted broccoli as much as I do, it might be difficult to resist chowing down on the whole pan, but a bowl of this soup is a reward worth waiting for. Especially since you won't have long to wait.

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Roasted Broccoli & Cheddar Soup

Serves 4-6

2 tablespoons oil, divided
1 leek, washed
1 medium waxy potato
1 bunch broccoli (about 1 1/2 pounds)
6 cups vegetable stock, chicken stock or water
1 cup grated extra-sharp cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper
Lemon wedge
Crème fraîche or yogurt (optional)

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Thinly slice the white and light green portion of the leek. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pot over medium heat and add the sliced leek. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the leek is soft. While the leek cooks, peel and chop the potato into 1-inch chunks. Add the stock and potato to the pot and bring the mixture to a boil.

While the stock is coming to a boil, chop the broccoli into florets and spread onto two sheet pans. If the excess broccoli stalks are tender and tasty, they can be peeled and added to the pans. Drizzle the remaining tablespoon of oil over the broccoli, sprinkle with a little salt and put the pans in the oven. Roast for 5 minutes. Stir the broccoli and return to the oven for 5 more minutes.

Once the stock is boiling, add the broccoli and bring to boil again. Simmer until both the potatoes and broccoli pieces are tender when pierced with a fork, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Puree soup with an immersion blender or in batches with a regular blender. Add the cheese and stir until it has melted and incorporated into the soup. Taste soup and adjust the seasoning. If you are not serving the soup with crème fraîche or yogurt, add a squeeze of lemon. Serve topped with a small dollop of crème fraîche or yogurt, or a grind of fresh pepper.

Related: Vegan, Gluten-Free & Lactose-Free -- Yet Creamy Soups?

(Images: Anjali Prasertong)