MenU - Yup; It's Chow Time!

This is actually being offered to you as prompted by the Weim-bros and their pal, Shoko. I'm a wee bit late, but hey, it's that time of year when we want hearty, warming, comforting food - right? 

Almost more than the famous 'cuppa', a bowl of hearty soup and a sandwich or filled bread roll can nourish and satisfy and aid recovery at all levels; especially when shared.

I first made the following recipe (adapted from a cookbook mum gave me whilst I was studying for my Domestic Science exams at school) for a family alternative Christmas dinner about 40 years ago. If used as a starter, exercise caution in the portions as it is extremely rich and filling. Otherwise, make gourmet sandwiches to go along with, and you have a superb meal.  Mum loved it, and I hope you will too.

"Three Cheese Soupreme"

 

Ingredients;

•    One head of broccoli washed and chopped into florets – the stalk can be finely diced (should be about 500gms)
•   100gms Red Leicester/Matured Cheddar cheese – grated
•   100 gms Philadelphia cream cheese
•   100 gms Stilton cheese – crumbled
•   2 vegetable stock cubes (or powdered equivalent
•   1 ltr water

Method;

Put the broccoli and stock with water into soup pan and bring to boil.  Simmer until broccoli is fork-soft.  Cool, then blend till smooth.  Return to heat and add the cheeses.  Bring together with a whisk and ensure total melting.  Serve hot with extra cheese sprinkled on top - for the presentation you may reserve one or two florets as you see in the photo.

This quantity might serve 6-8 as a starter dish; or four servings as a meal dish.  The cheese can be varied also.  You may wish to use only one or go mad and try adding five... (that was one of those 'meno moments' and resembled fondue...ahem) the cheese should all be meltable though. Wensleydale, for example, is not so good - though it is lovely crumbled on top!  

Other variations, for those who can't release their attachment to them, is the addition of onions and/or tomatoes - but be very very careful as this can really alter the delicate balance. It would suit the single cheddar version though.

A further variation can be to add a medium-sized potato with the broccoli or a couple of Jerusalem artichokes...  Go on, have a go and make it your own!!!