BROCCOLI CREAM SOUP

Steps:

• Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute (the flour should not take on any color).
• Pour in stock, whisking until fully incorporated, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, whisking often, until thickened, about 10 minutes.
• Add broccoli stems and season with salt and pepper. Return to a boil, stirring to combine. Add florets and return to a boil. Reduce heat and gently simmer until broccoli is tender enough to mash with the back of a spoon, 10 to 20 minutes.
• Working in batches, transfer broccoli mixture to the jar of a blender, bowl of a food processor, or puree through a food mill fitted with a fine or coarse disk, or an immersion blender. Strain soup through a fine mesh sieve into a clean pot, pressing down on solids.
• Set pot of soup over low heat and whisk in cream, if using. Thin with more stock or water, if necessary. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.