Chock Full Of Broccoli Soup
By: Deborah Chud
Published: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 - 5:35pm

Ingredients




2 1/2 pounds to 3  broccoli (2 bunches)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 cups chopped onion
2 teaspoons minced garlic
4 cups to 5  low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons sweet or mellow white miso
3/4 cup lite silken tofu (about ½ pound), preferably Nasoya
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon to 2  chopped fresh tarragon, optional

Preparation

1 Separate broccoli florets from stems. Cut florets into bite-sized pieces; trim and peel stems, and cut into bite-sized pieces. 2 Place soup pot over medium heat and add oil; when hot, add onions and broccoli stems, and stir well to coat with oil. Reduce heat to low and cook, covered, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until onions are translucent and tender. Uncover, add garlic, blend well, and cook 1 minute longer. 3 Add florets and chicken broth; bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes, or until broccoli is tender.  4 Remove from heat and whisk in miso; allow to cool 5 minutes. 5 Puree half the soup in several batches in blender, adding some tofu with each batch.  Return pureed soup to the pot; stir well to blend. Thin with additional chicken broth, if desired. Add salt, pepper, and tarragon, if using. Serve immediately.

About


If you are a regular reader of these columns, you may recall a previous reference to this soup.  I was describing a classic food interaction with my husband:  "On the first round, I pureed the soup and added a little tarragon. His reaction? 'There's something weird in it.' The next week, I omitted the tarragon, but left the soup chunky to lower the glycemic index. Response:   'I'd like it better if it were completely pureed.' (My rejoinder: 'I'm going to puree ALL of your food from now on.')"
Here's how things went when I told him I was going to feature the soup this week.  Question: "The pureed version?" Answer: "Half-pureed." Response: "I'd go with pureed if I were you." Last laugh: "You'd better watch what you say: Every word is going into my post".  Not to discount his opinion altogether, I've made the tarragon optional in the recipe below; but it's a lovely option if you're after something just a little bit different.