Dinner on a whim...Cream of Anything Soup

While trying to figure out what would grace our dinner table last night I was struck with a craving for a thick, creamy soup.  Since Go-with-the Flow Husband has been trying to lose some weight and has decided to go the no carb route (and won't listen to me tell him that whole grain carbs really are ok, in moderation) it has become increasingly difficult for me to make dinner.   However, planning and executing last night's meal wasn't too terrible. 

I found a head of broccoli and a head of cauliflower in the refrigerator and decided that they would become that thick, creamy soup that I was craving.

I chopped these up to yield approximately 8 cups worth of the cruciferous vegetables.

*Note:  These are the veggies that I had on hand, but 8 cups of any veggies will do, I've used asparagus, potatoes, spinach, etc before.  You can be as creative as you wish!

While I was chopping the broccoli and cauliflower I had 2 tbsp. of butter melting in a large stockpot.  To this melted butter I added one chopped onion and one chopped celery stalk and sauted until tender.  Once the onion and celery were tender (and smelling divine), I added 3 cups of  homemade vegetable stock and the chopped broccoli and cauliflower.  I brought it to a simmer, covered the pot and let it continue bubbling for 10 minutes.  During this time I prepped my Vit-a-Mix in order to puree the veggies once they were soft.  I could really use an immersion blender to help prevent me from pouring the veggies back and forth, but alas I do not have one in my cabinet yet.  Once the veggies were soft I pureed them in batches and put them back in the pot.  I then made a roux from 3 tablespoons of butter and 3 tablespoons of flour.  To the roux I added 2 cups of milk and stirred continuously over low heat until it was thick and bubbly.  This was added to the pureed veggies and the whole pot was then stirred and seasoned with some white pepper and salt.

I serrved this soup with the option of sour cream dollops on top and slices of homemade cheesy bread.  It was a hit...well, not so much with the Explorer...he is having 4 year-old moments with ALL food lately, but he did finish in order to have the all coveted dessert!

I am so bad at this...

So I was "gently" reminded by my friend, Granola Mom 4 God, that she has been staring at the same page on my blog for the past month.  Every time I try, in earnest, to start this project again it falls by the wayside.  It is not because I don't care, it is because I am intimidated! 

It is very intimidating for me to write my thoughts and actions down.  I am not sure why this is.  Perhaps it is because I am a "private" person, perhaps it is because I don't want to be judged, perhaps it is because I don't have the words to express myself...who knows?

The past month has seen some difficulties for us, but we are pulling ourselves back together and finding it easier to move on....family does that for you, and for my family I am extremely grateful on this day (all days, really, but today in particular). 

"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them." ~Desmond Tutu