Broccoli Successes & Cauliflower Failures

It’s winter. Or perhaps I should say that it’s winter today but last week it was spring! It was 65 degrees. Today it’s 27 degrees. No matter the weather, we like to cook and soup is one of our favorites. Anything can be turned into soup. 

I had bought a cauliflower and a broccoli. They were both waiting patiently for me to decide their destiny. On this particular day, I decided it would be a veggie dinner. Now that does not mean we simply eat a veggie. It means that we use the creativity and talents, that God gave us, and create something spectacular.  In this case, we attempted to make a pizza crust from the cauliflower, and Broccoli Cheddar Soup. One success, one so-so attempt. The soup was wonderful. The pizza was good but definitely needs work. Just like me. I definitely need work. But that is where God steps in. He knows that I am not perfect and that I fail. But He is always there to pick up the pieces and forgive me for my short comings. I humble myself and ask Him to forgive me and He does! Simple! In the book of Romans, it says that we have all sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God. But then Paul explains how we can be forgiven!  How cool is that? 

Romans 3:23-26

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God freely and graciously declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.

I love that! Now I don't go out and intentionally sin, but it’s wonderful to understand that I have the grace of God covering me when I fail. And all I have to do is ask that He forgives me. And He does. And even better, He forgives and forgets. Now that’s grace!  How great is our God? God is good. All the time! 

Priscilla 

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

I like Broccoli Cheddar Soup. I use rice flour. It makes the soup gluten free. Now I don’t have to use rice flour, I choose to do so. You may choose to use unbleached flour instead. That is AOK!  The same goes for the milk. I like coconut milk because it adds a richness to the soup. But regular cow’s milk is also good. I like cow’s milk! Where would my coffee be without my friend the cow?  

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup plus rice flour

3 cups chicken broth or veggie broth

1 large broccoli, chopped 

3 cups shredded cheddar cheese

2 cups coconut milk

In a large pan, cook the onion in butter on a low heat until the onions are tender. Stir in the rice flour. Slowly add the broth, stirring as you add it; now add the broccoli.  Simmer and stir occasionally, until the broccoli is tender. The soup should be thicker. If it still too watery, then add a slurry. If you like the consistency, then move onto the final step.

Adding a slurry:  

A slurry is a mixture of liquid and a thickening agent, like flour or cornstarch. I used rice flour for my slurry. The liquid can be water but I used some of the hot broth. Take 1/4 cup of the broth in a small bowl and whisk it with 2 tablespoons of rice flour. This will turn into a paste that is called a slurry. Now stir the slurry to into the soup. Stir until the “paste” is loosened and well incorporated into the soup. This should thicken it perfectly.

The final step:

Now blend in the shredded cheese and coconut milk. Stir and cook the soup over low heat until the cheese is melted. Now let’s eat Broccoli Cheddar Soup!