For Emma

                                 Broccoli Soup 

Ingredients

1 1/2 heads of broccoli

2 carrots

1/2 onion

2 stalks of celery

3-4 cloves of garlic

5 cups of vegetable broth 

1 tsp of of dried basil or 5-6 fresh basil leaves

1/2-1 cup sharp cheddar cheese

1 cup of  1% -2%milk or coconut or almond milk

salt and pepper to taste

1 tbsp olive oil

Chop onion and garlic, cook in olive oil until the onion is translucent. 

Chop 1 head of broccoli, carrots, and celery into bite size pieces. Place in a sauce pan with the vegetable broth. Add in onion, garlic and basil. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour. Puree mixture, return mixture to sauce pan. Chop up remaining broccoli into small pieces, add to sauce pan. Heat on medium heat  for about 5 min until broccoli softens. Add in the milk and 1/2 cup of cheese. Heat until cheese is melted. 

Serve in soup bowls. Top with remaining cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!