To me, the perfect loaded baked potato is this: huge perfectly baked spud topped with copious amounts of cheddar cheese, steamed broccoli, a little sour cream, salt + pepper and maybe a few green onions. If you consider it blasphemy for anyone to utter the words (or in this case, type the words) "loaded baked potato" and not follow it up with bacon. Well. You'll have to forgive me. But hey, it's your kitchen. So you do what you want, and I will do the same. :) Now let's talk soup!
Baked Potato & Broccoli Cheddar Soup, makes 4-5 servings
3-4 large baking potatoes
4 cups vegetable (or chicken) stock
2 tablespoons chopped onion
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 large head of broccoli, chopped into small florets
1/2 cup cream (I used half and half, whole milk would be good too)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
salt + pepper to taste
sour cream and green onion to garnish
First peel and chop up your potatoes. In a large crock pot combine the potatoes, chopped onion, minced garlic and stock. You want the stock to full submerge the potatoes, so if you find you need a little more or less do what's right for your particular crock pot situation. Cook on high heat for 6-7 hours.
During the last half hour of cooking add the broccoli florets. You want these to soften and turn bright green by the time the potatoes are soft. Use an immersion blender
to puree the ingredients. You could also do this in a blender or food processor working in batches. If you do use your blender be careful as you transfer and pour hot liquids (honestly I really do recommend an immersion blender
if you like making soup at home).
Now stir in the cream and cheese. Season with salt and pepper and allow to cook until the cheese has melted and everything is warmed through. Serve with sour cream and a few green onions. Warm up your nights with soup! xo. Emma
Yum! Looks delish <3 Gonna have to try this recipe soon (:
Posted by: Rachel | January 22, 2013 at 05:25 PM
My grandmother has made something like this for me before! It is one of my favourite dishes ever! Thanks so much for sharing your recipe! I will definitely try it!
Posted by: Georgina Markocki | January 22, 2013 at 05:31 PM
Yum!!! This looks delicious!
Posted by: LARY@ Inspiration Nook | January 22, 2013 at 05:36 PM
mmm, this sounds great! my husband & i are pescetarians so we're always looking for meat-less options and this is a great one. thanks for sharing!
Posted by: ale norris | January 22, 2013 at 05:47 PM
This looks so delicious! Perfect for a chilly day.
Melissa
Http://shakeshakee.blogspot.com
(having a sponsor space giveaway)
Posted by: melissa | January 22, 2013 at 05:48 PM
Makes me hungry just looking at it! Yum!
Katie xx
http://gravityandshe.blogspot.co.uk
Posted by: Katie | January 22, 2013 at 05:56 PM
looks so yummy! perfect for the chilly weather we've been having!
xo eden
http://edensjunkdrawer.blogspot.com
Posted by: Eden | January 22, 2013 at 05:59 PM
This sounds delicious! Is there a non-crock pot version by any chance?
Posted by: Laura Kidd | January 22, 2013 at 06:08 PM
Oh, YUM!!!
This looks awesome!
I adore potatoes, thanks for posting this!
-Anna
http://thecupcakecousinsblog.blogspot.com/2013/01/fashion-fun-by-celia-and-anna.html?showComment=1358800633290#c549939592296223258
Posted by: Anna | January 22, 2013 at 06:13 PM
Sounds and looks amazing! Will have to make soon. I recently purchased an immersion blender and I can't believe I didn't buy one sooner!
Posted by: Beth | January 22, 2013 at 06:13 PM
Um this seems like heaven in a bowl. Literally my favorite things all cooked up together. What a great treat for a gloomy day!
http://charliececile.blogspot.com
Posted by: Charlie Cécile | January 22, 2013 at 06:16 PM
Perfect for a cold, snowy day!
http://sarahthearchitect.com/
Posted by: Sarah | January 22, 2013 at 06:16 PM
I can't wait for when it turns to winter here and I can start making soup! It's still summer in New Zealand.
Carina http://carstina.blogspot.co.nz/
Posted by: Carina | January 22, 2013 at 06:21 PM
This looks beyond beyond delish. I will have to stockpile WW points! HA.
amanda
http://thingstoholdandstir.blogspot.com/
Posted by: amanda | January 22, 2013 at 06:27 PM
that sounds amazing. i want it now. thanks ;)
Posted by: Sierra Nunley-Gross | January 22, 2013 at 06:28 PM
This looks absolutely amazing! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Sarah L | January 22, 2013 at 06:32 PM
Sounds delicious. I thin it would go well with goat cheese too!
Posted by: Nat @ Dear Little House | January 22, 2013 at 06:51 PM
this looks yummy!!
Posted by: Francesca | January 22, 2013 at 06:54 PM
Yummm brocolli is the BEST veggie!
xo Emily @ http://www.hungrydelights.com/
Posted by: Emily @ Hungry Delights | January 22, 2013 at 06:56 PM
Laura Kidd- You could do it on the stove top too in a covered pot. I would turn up the heat quite a bit so the potatoes will soften much faster as you don't want to leave a pot cooking overnight (like you could easily do with the crock pot version).
Posted by: Emma | January 22, 2013 at 06:57 PM