Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

5 cups broccoli florets
6 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cups milk or 1 1/2 cups half-and-half
1/2 cup flour
2 tablespoons flour
2 -3 cups cheddar cheese, grated
bacon, cooked and chopped

Preparation

Steam broccoli until tender, about 6 minutes.
Chop broccoli finely (you can use a food processor if you like).
In a large saucepan, combine broth and milk and slowly whisk in flour.
Cover over medium to medium high heat and stir.
Cook until it starts to thicken (just until it starts to boil).
Add chopped broccoli.
Reduce heat to medium low.
Continue to cook about 5 minutes.
Add cheese and stir until cheese melts.
If using bacon, sprinkle each bowl with bacon.