California Medley Soup is a vibrant and hearty blend of a delightful combination of fresh broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots in a creamy, cheesy soup. This recipe takes me back to my first job as a teenager. California medley soup was often on the soup menu and was a favorite to order after a long, busy shift.
What makes California Medley Soup a Healthy Choice?
This soup is full of delicious, healthy vegetables. It is a perfect vegetarian option as it does not contain any meat. Even without meat in the soup, it is still surprisingly filling and hearty. This bright colorful blend of vegetables is not only beautiful and refreshing, they offer some excellent nutrients. All of these vegetables are low in calories and fat.
Broccoli and Cauliflower: Broccoli and cauliflower contain high amounts of vitamin C and K. The vitamin C helps protect against vision loss, strengthens the immune system, and supports brain functioning. Vitamin K is also beneficial to brain functioning. In addition, it is essential for blood clotting and strengthening bones.
Carrots: It is widely known that carrots are supportive to eye health. This is due to their high content of vitamin A. But that’s not all carrots have to offer. They also contain vitamin C and vitamin K. Similar to the broccoli and cauliflower, carrots will aid in strengthening the immune system and boosting brain power.
Onions and Garlic: Onions and garlic are from the same family of root vegetables. They have similar properties, as well as vitamins and minerals. Both garlic and onions contain antioxidants and have antimicrobial properties. Also, some antioxidants found in them can help reduce inflammation, help prevent cancer and are supportive to cardiovascular health.
Preparation, Servings, and Storage of California Medley Soup
This recipe for California medley soup is simple to prepare and only takes about a half hour from start to finish. It is cooked in one dutch oven or large stock pot, making clean up a breeze after a satisfying meal. One batch of this delicious soup yields up to six generous servings, making it perfect for large families or as a delicious meal prep option for the week. Any leftover soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Looking for More Creamy Soups to try?
If you’re a fan of creamy soups, there are countless other varieties to explore that will delight your taste buds and warm your soul.
California Medley Soup
Equipment
- dutch oven or large stock pot
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Butter
- 1 cup Carrots, diced
- 1 cup Yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves Garlic, crushed
- 3 tbsp Flour
- 2 cups Chicken broth
- 1/4 tsp Cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp Sea salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 12 oz Broccoli/Cauliflower mix, chopped (fresh)
- 1½ cups Milk
- 1½ cups Heavy cream
- 2 cups Sharp Cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the carrots and onions and sauté until the onions are soft and translucent.
- Add the garlic and continue sauteing for another minute.
- Next, add the flour, stirring constantly to prevent sticking. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Pour the chicken broth into the dutch oven and stir to combine.
- Add the cayenne, salt, pepper, broccoli, cauliflower, milk and cream.
- Stir and cover the dutch oven. Allow to simmer for 15 minutes, or until the broccoli and cauliflower are tender.
- Remove the dutch oven from the heat and slowly add the cheese, stirring to incorporate the cheese into the soup.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition
