Cheesy Broccoli Soup

 Broccoli Cheese Soup - original recipe was found at Allrecipes.  I made just a couple changes.

1 cup onion, diced
6 Tbsp margarine
1/3 cup flour
salt and pepper to taste (I did not use much)
4 cups skim milk
3 cups chicken broth
2 cups broccoli, diced
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 pound Velveeta (I used the 2 % milk variety)

In a stock pot, saute the onions in the butter on medium heat. Add the flour, salt and peppr and stir to make a paste. Add the milk slowly, stirring with a whisk. Cook on medium high until bubbly and thick, stir often to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot.



Broccoli and celery boiling in chicken broth.
 

Meanwhile, in a smaller pan, bring the chicken broth to a boil.  Add the celery and broccoli.  Cook about 5 minutes or until tender.  

 Add the broccoli and celery to the milk mixture.  Mix well.
Cut the Velveeta into cubes and add to the mixture.  Stir constantly to prevent sticking.  Heat until the cheese is all melted. 

This recipe made about 8 one-cup servings.

Orange Chicken and Broccoli

Orange Chicken with Broccoli (4 servings - 5 Points Plus each)
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
2 1/2 Tbsp all purpose flour (divided)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tsp olive oil
1 1/2 cup fat free chicken broth
1 tsp minced garlic
2 1/2 cup uncooked broccoli, small florets and cut up stems
2 tsp orange zest
Juice of one orange

Cut chicken into thin slices or bite size pieces. Place in a large bowl and toss with the flour, sale and pepper.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet until water sizzles. Place chicken in skillet in a single layer and cook until lightly browned - about 5 minutes - turning as needed. Remove to a plate.
Put 1 cup of the broth and the garlic in the skillet and bring to a boil, scraping the browned chicken pieces from the skillet. Add broccoli, cover and cook 1 minute.

In a small cup, stir together remaining 1/2 cup of broth, 1/2 tablespoon flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt, add to skillet and bring to a simmer over low heat.

Cover and cook until broccoli is crisp tender and the sauce is slightly thickened, about 1 1/2 minutes. Stir in chicken and orange zest; heat through.

Remove skillet from heat and stir in orange juice.


Serve over rice.