Favourite Broccoli Cheese Soup

I got this recipe years ago from a Ontario Milk Board Calendar...and over the years it has been slightly adapted to suit me. I have friends who won't let me visit without bringing this soup and a loaf of crusty bread!

• Ready In: 25 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons butter
• 1  onion, chopped
• 2  tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1⁄2 cups  chicken stock
• 3  cups broccoli, chopped
• 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
• 1⁄8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)
• 1 1⁄2 cups milk
• 1 1⁄2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
•  salt

Directions

1. Melt butter in large pan, add onion and cook until tender but not brown. Stir in flour and cook for 3 minutes.
2. Whisk in stock and broccoli and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until broccoli is tender.
3. Puree mixture, (I use a hand blender and like to leave a few chunks.) and return to heat. Add pepper,cayenne pepper, milk, and cheese. Add salt after cheese, tasting soup, since cheese can be salty. Heat through but do not let boil.