Cozy Up with Creamy Broccoli Cauliflower Soup
As the weather gets colder, it’s tempting to head inside, put on a sweater, make a warm meal, and curl up by the fire. The only downside to delicious comfort foods is you might find yourself putting on extra pounds, instead of extra layers.
Speaking of tasty, warm meals, there’s no better way to warm up than a big bowl of soup. But between winter favorites like butternut squash soup, creamy potato soup, or beef stew, you may be packing on more calories than you might need (even though they may be worth it!).
Enter broccoli cauliflower soup.
It’s hearty and filling and will warm you up faster than a steaming mug of hot cocoa. Plus, it will keep you feeling refreshed and full of energy instead of sending you into an early hibernation. Cancel those restaurant plans, broccoli cauliflower soup is on the menu tonight!
Why Soup is a Good Cold Weather Food
Soup is a great choice for nutrition during the winter months. When the temperature is cold, a warm cup or bowl of soup can help keep your internal body temperature at a proper level. If you’re coming down with a cold or the flu, soups can help your body fight off the infection. The vitamins and nutrients in vegetables help speed recovery. The heat from the warm broth can clear your sinuses. Also, even low levels of sodium can help soothe a sore throat.
Additionally, soup is inexpensive compared to other meals with equal nutritional value. It does not require too many ingredients to make a bowl that will satisfy your hunger. Fortunately, we don’t often have to worry about procuring food in the winter, but within the last 100 years, soup was a way for people to stretch out the items they harvested and stored away. If you do choose to add a more expensive ingredient or protein, like chicken, you won’t need to use a lot of it to make the soup into a full meal.
Bonus: Soup is great leftover, and even freezes well for a future meal. Fire up the crock pot on Sunday and check off your meal planning for the rest of the week. Did you make too much? Don’t fret; freeze it and save it for a week when you have less prep time available.
Health Benefits of Broccoli and Cauliflower
Broccoli cauliflower soup is one of the best cold-weather meals around, not only for the benefits of eating soup but for the health benefits associated with both broccoli and cauliflower.
Cruciferous vegetables—including broccoli and cauliflower—are known for their properties that help prevent many cancers. Broccoli is also important for skin health, thanks to the vitamin C it’s packed with. Cauliflower contains choline, which is a nutrient that promotes brain and nervous system health.
Even if you’re not craving broccoli cauliflower soup, these vegetables are versatile and can be used for many healthy recipes that even kiddos will love.
Broccoli Cauliflower Soup Recipe
Who’s ready to make a delicious bowl of broccoli cauliflower soup? Here’s a recipe to try, thanks to EatingWell.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups of Smith’s Farm broccoli florets
- 4 cups of Smith’s Farm cauliflower florets
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth or low-sodium vegetable broth
- ½ cup chopped shallots
- ½ cup whole milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Directions:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat.
- Add broccoli and cauliflower. Cook for 3 minutes.
- Remove 2 cups of broccoli and cauliflower florets with a slotted spoon; set aside.
- Add spinach to the pot; cook until the broccoli and cauliflower are tender and the spinach has wilted for about 2 minutes. Drain.
- Working in batches if needed, transfer the mixture to a blender; add broth and shallots. Secure the lid on the blender and remove the centerpiece to allow steam to escape. Place a clean towel over the opening. Process until smooth, about 30 seconds. (Use caution when blending hot liquids. Alternatively, transfer the drained broccoli and cauliflower back to the pot; add broth and shallots and process using an immersion blender.)
- Return the pureed soup to the pot. Stir in milk and salt.
- Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until steaming, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Ladle evenly into 8 bowls; top with the reserved broccoli-cauliflower mixture, cheese, and parsley.
Smith’s Farm Broccoli
You can find fresh and sustainably grown broccoli and cauliflower at Smith’s Farm! Learn more about our practices for growing the healthiest produce for our customers.
