Bit of cereal

Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheddar Soup

BY REBECCA FENDING

‘Tis the season for soup! With the official start of fall behind us, most folks are rotating their yearly recipe Rolodex to reflect the seasonal change. Soup is one of those dishes that’s hard to refuse, but even harder as the temperatures begin to drop and the autumnal decorations make their appearance.

Besides maybe chicken noodle, it seems like the common denominator when it comes to hearty and comforting soups is broccoli cheddar. Nutritious, flavorful and so satisfying, has anyone ever refused a bowl of this homemade soup before? The best part of this recipe is that it’s truly a “set it and forget it” lunch or dinner—load the ingredients into your slow cooker, set it to low and walk away. As an added bonus with any soup, this is an amazing leftover dish, too!

Ingredients and supplies:

• 10 oz. bag of frozen broccoli florets, or two heads of fresh broccoli • ¼ cup chopped sweet onion • 2 tablespoons butter • 2 cups of freshly shredded sharp cheddar • 4 cups milk (whole or 2% work best) • 2 teaspoons garlic powder • Salt and pepper to taste 1. Add broccoli, onions, butter and cheese to a six-quart slow cooker. 2. Pour milk over top of the ingredients.

Add in your garlic powder, salt and pepper. 3. Stir well and set your slow cooker on low for 3-4 hours or until cheese is melted and soup is hot. 4. Serve in a bowl with bread, or cook egg noodles separate and add to the bottom of your bowl before spooning soup over top.

CUTEST PET CUTEST PET

Do you think you’ve got the cutest pet? Show him or her off in the next issue of Lifestyles! We’re looking for the best dressed and most festive companions that our audience has to offer. See information on how to submit your fur baby for the contest below:

For submissions:

Send us a little bit about your pet (100 words or less) along with the best photo in their modeling portfolio and what city you live in to Rebecca.Fending@lifestylesafter50.com with the words “Cutest Pet” in the subject line, or through our Facebook at www.facebook.com/LifestylesAfter50. Submissions must be before the 15th of every month, otherwise it will be held for a potential feature in the following issue’s publication. Include your name, phone number and Florida city. Submissions are published on a basis of what space is available.

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For submissions:

Send your short story or poem (150 words or less) or a photo of your artwork to Rebecca.Fending@ lifestylesafter50.com with the words “Creative Corner” in the subject line, or through our Facebook at www.facebook.com/LifestylesAfter50. Please include which Florida city you currently live in and your name. Artwork must be before the 15th of every month, otherwise it will be held as potential news for the following issue’s publication. Artwork is published on a basis of what space is available.