Broccoli and Bell pepper soup / Broccoli and Capsicum Soup

Before you run away thinking there is mashed and ground broccoli in it let me tell you the green tint of the soup comes from the bell pepper :)

The broccoli florets are not mashed unidentifiably but steamed and put inside this delicious soup so that you get to see the bright greens and eat them.

Seeing all the bright colors of veggies is so much fun than grinding the whole thing into one odd colored soup.I am sure u guys will agree on that right!
 The bell pepper gives a beautiful aroma.If you think the color is too green for you then go for the other colored ones.

Ingredients: (Serves 3)
Broccoli - 1( medium size)
Bell pepper/ Capsicum - 1/2 of 1
White onion -1/2 of 1
Garlic - 5 flakes
All purpose flour - 4 tsp
Heavy cream / fresh cream or whole milk - 1/3 cup
Butter /cooking oil -2 tsp
Salt and pepper to taste.

Garnish /Topping:
Carrot slices - (Steps for making flower in the end)
Sharp grated cheddar cheese
Sunflower seeds

Method:

• Cut broccoli into florets.(U may use the thick stem part by chopping finely and cooking it along with bell pepper in the next step but I did not use it here ) Wash the florets well and steam them until  cooked.and keep aside.
• Heat butter and when it melts slightly add garlic chopped,when it turns golden add the onion chopped saute for a few minutes then the bell pepper chopped saute until tender add salt,pepper and all purpose flour reduce flame and keep stirring until the flour gives out a nice aroma (take care not to burn the bottom) now add 1 glass of water ,mix well and cook it till the flour has no raw taste.
• Let the mixture cool down. Grind this in a blender or with a hand blender.
• Bring the mixture back to boil adding more water( according to the thickness u want for the soup).At this stage add the steamed broccoli floret and the milk/ cream let it boil for one more minute switch off flame,garnish and serve immediately with croutons,oyster crackers or bread.

Carrot flower:
Don't overlook the flower power! It really brightens the soup.
Wash and clean the carrot.Cut it diagonally then with a potato peeler make thin strips, roll it .Make a small cut with a knife(not too deep) and tuck the end of the strip inside.Simply roll one more strip and put inside the first roll. There are two strips in a flower.

Hope to hear from u lovely people out there.
Meena

If you love broccoli here are other websites with awesome recipes u need to check out :

The Lemon Bowl: Roasted Broccoli with Hoisin Dipping Sauce
Jeanette's Healthy Living: Garlicky Cheesy Broccoli Gratin
Napa Farmhouse 1885: Italian Broccoli with Garlic, Chiles and Parmigiano Reggiano
Red or Green: Szechuan Broccoli and Chicken
Virtually Homemade: Roasted Broccoli with Garlic, Parmesan and Lemon
Dishing: Broccoli Soup
Weelicious: Broccoli Salad
Elephants and the Coconut Trees: Broccoli and Bell Pepper Soup
The Sensitive Epicure: Pureed Broccoli with Garlic
Domesticate Me: Roasted Broccoli, Chicken and Cheddar Quinoa Bake
Dishin & Dishes: Broccoli Garlic Pancetta Quiche
FN Dish: When Broccoli Meets Cheddar