The American French Onion Soup

Broccoli, Potato and Cheddar Chowder, originally uploaded by mud pie gourmet.

The weather here has been crazy. End of September and it's in the 90s?!?! Today was the first day that it was a little cooler all week, and I was craving a good soup. Maybe it's because I have a cold, maybe it's because I am ready for those Fall days, pumpkin patches and jackets to cover my growing belly (we had the ultrasound yesterday--we purposely didn't find out the sex, but the baby looks healthy!).

When we lived in Mexico City we went to Au Pied de Cochon for our last night in the city with a friend. It was just a couple blocks away from our apartment and I can't believe we didn't go all the time. The food was divine, and they had this amazing French Onion Soup. I love the crusty cheese on the top of French Onion Soup. With this recipe I recreated that crusty cheese, but with a more American style soup--Broccoli, Potato and Cheddar Soup. It definitely hit the spot after being at the playground with the munchkins as the cool evening was setting in.

Broccoli, Potato and Cheddar Soup

4 potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
2 cups broccoli (about 8 oz)
1 T butter
1 T olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp salt
3/4 tsp cumin
1 1/2 T dijon mustard
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
2 cups potato/broccoli water
2 T flour
1 cup half and half
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese

Steam potatoes for 10 minutes, until tender. Set aside (reserving the water). Steam broccoli 3 minutes, until tender. Set aside (reserving the water).

Heat olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until tender about 8 minutes. Add potatoes, salt, cumin, dijon, pepper and 1 1/2 cups reserved water. Combine remaining 1/2 cup potato water and 2 Tablespoons flour. Add to pot. Simmer about 20 minutes. Add half and half and 2/3 cup cheese. Simmer about 15 minutes more.

Preheat broiler. Using four oven-proof bowls or ramekins, fill with chowder and sprinkle with cheese on top. Broil for 2 minutes, until golden on top.

note: The soup is still good if you are too lazy to put it in the broiler. Just add all the cheese into the pot.