vegan broccoli soup

Broccoli has so many health benefits. It’s loaded with vitamins and minerals and the phytochemical sulforaphane which helps fight cancer. Want to know more about the power of sulforaphane? Check out this information from the MD Anderson Cancer Center. It is found in cruciferous vegetables (cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, Bok choy, cabbage, and kale).

This soup is loaded with vegetables and is dairy free. Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free bread and gluten-free vegetable stock. Don’t be put off by the long list of ingredients. This soup is simple to make. The croutons and crispy broccoli are optional so if you don’t have time for these steps, don’t worry! Enjoy.

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, more for drizzling

• 1 small yellow onion, diced

• ½ cup chopped celery

• ⅓ cup chopped carrots

• 1 lb. broccoli, stems diced, florets chopped

• 1 small yukon gold potato, diced (1 cup)

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• 4 cups vegetable broth

• 3 cups cubed bread, for croutons

• ½ cup raw cashews

• 1½ teaspoons apple cider vinegar

• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

• ¼ cup fresh dill (replace with a 1/2 teaspoon dried dill)

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

• 3/4 teaspoon sea salt

• freshly ground black pepper

Creating the Magic

• Preheat the oven to 350°F and line 2 small baking sheets with parchment paper.

• Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, carrots, broccoli stems, salt, and pepper and sauté until softened, about 10 minutes. Add the potatoes and garlic and stir, then add the broth and simmer for 20 minutes until the potatoes are soft. Let cool slightly.

• Set aside 1 cup of the broccoli florets to roast as a topping for the soup. Place the remaining florets in a steamer basket, and set over a pot with 1-inch of water. Bring the water to a simmer, cover, and let steam 5 minutes, until the broccoli is tender.

• Meanwhile, place the reserved broccoli florets and the bread cubes on the baking sheets. Toss with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt and roast until the bread is crispy and the broccoli is tender and browned around the edges, 10 to 15 minutes.

• Transfer the soup to the blender and add the cashews, apple cider vinegar, and mustard, and blend until creamy. Work in batches, if necessary. Add the steamed broccoli florets, dill, and lemon juice, and pulse until the broccoli is incorporated but still chunky. The soup should be thick; if it's too thick, add 1/2 cup water to thin to your desired consistency. Add additional dill as desired.

• Season to taste and serve the soup in bowls with the roasted broccoli and croutons on top.

Note: Add a few tablespoons of nutritional yeast into the soup for an extra "cheese-like" flavor. You can find it at Whole Foods or other health food stores. If you can't find it, no worries, it's delicious without it too!