Homemade Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Steps

1. 1In your soup pot, saute over med-high heat: 2 Tbsp of your olive oil with the shallot, onion and jalapeno. When cooked lightly, add in lemon juice, veggie broth, remaining oil, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium.
2. 2Add Potatoes and bring broth to a boil. Cook until potatoes are tender.
3. 3Add chopped Broccoli (florets and steams). Remember to leave out a few florets for later use though.Cover with lid, when broccoli is tender, turn heat off.
4. 4Transfer contents of pot into a large mixing bowl. Allow to cool slightly.
5. 5Add to the bowl the fresh parsley, Chobani and almond milk. Fold new ingredients into the hot soup mixture.
6. 6In batches, puree the soup in a food-processor (maybe someday soon, a Vitamix!) style blender. Soup should be smooth-no lumps or chunks. In the soup pot, add the broccoli florets, a dash of veggie broth and saute covered for about a minute until tender.
7. 7Add the pureed soup back into the soup pot.
8. 8Add a bay leaf and a few pinches of chopped basil (optional). Simmer uncovered for at least twenty minutes to cook out all the air bubbles. Stir constantly for the first few minutes.
9. 9Remove the bay leaf before serving or storing.