Ingredients for - Broccoli Soup au Gratin

1. Unsalted butter, divided 2 tablespoons
2. Onion, diced 1 large
3. Garlic, minced 3 cloves
4. Vegetable broth, or more to taste 5 cups
5. Broccoli, trimmed 2 pounds
6. Heavy whipping cream ½ cup
7. Kosher salt, or more to taste 2 teaspoons
8. Freshly ground black pepper to taste 2 teaspoons
9. Freshly grated nutmeg 1 pinch
10. Ground cayenne pepper, or to taste 1 pinch
11. Country white bread, halved crosswise 3 slices
12. Shredded sharp Cheddar cheese 3 cups

How to cook deliciously - Broccoli Soup au Gratin

1 . Stage

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large pot over medium heat; add onion. Cook and stir until onion turns translucent, 5 to 6 minutes. Add garlic; stir for 1 minute. Pour in broth; bring to a simmer over high heat.

2 . Stage

Separate florets from heads of broccoli. Cut large florets in half. Cut stems in half and cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Add broccoli to simmering broth. Cover and cook until broccoli softens slightly, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, stirring occasionally, until broccoli is very tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.

3 . Stage

Blend broccoli with an immersion blender into a very smooth puree. Stir in cream, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and cayenne. Return soup to medium-low heat; cook until cream is heated through, about 5 minutes.

4 . Stage

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.

5 . Stage

Butter both sides of bread with remaining 1 tablespoon butter and place on the lined baking sheet.

6 . Stage

Bake bread in the preheated oven, turning halfway through, until toasted and crisp, 4 to 5 minutes.

7 . Stage

Place 6 oven-proof soup crocks on the foil-lined baking sheet. Ladle soup into the crocks, filling almost to the top. Place 1 piece of toasted bread in each crock; cover with Cheddar cheese.

8 . Stage

Set oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.

9 . Stage

Place baking sheet under broiler and broil until cheese is browned and bubbly, 3 to 4 minutes.