Cheddar Vegetable Soup

This is for all you soup lovers ! If you like most vegetables I think you're really going to enjoy this soup. The distinctive garlic flavor sets this soup apart from most other cheese soups . Because it's on the hearty side I like to serve it along side a salad with rolls or muffins. I hope you give this one a try !

2 very thinly sliced carrots
2 very thinly sliced stalks celery
1 small finely chopped onion
1 small clove minced garlic
1 cup chopped cauliflower
1/2 cup chopped broccoli
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup flour
3 cups strong chicken broth
1/2 tsp pepper
1 cup half & half
1+1/2 cups milk
2 cups shredded sharp orange cheddar cheese
1/2 tsp salt


Melt the butter in a 6 qt. saucepan and add carrots and celery. Saute for about 5 minutes on medium heat stirring constantly. Add the remaining vegetables and cook another 5 minutes again stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in the flour and cook over low heat stirring for 3 to 4 minutes. Slowly stir in the chicken broth. Add salt and pepper and simmer over low heat until the vegetables are tender about 20 minutes stirring frequently. Add milk, half & half, and cheese and reheat just until it's hot. Serve. Makes 6 servings