Vegan Broccoli "Cheddar"Jalapeño Soup

Step 1

Heat oil in a big pot over medium heat, and add the onion, garlic, poblanos and jalapeno,  stirring occasionally, letting the onions get golden, about 5 minutes.

Step 2

Add the broccoli, broth, water, bay leaf, coriander, oregano, salt, and pepper. The liquid should just cover the veggies. Cover, bring to a boil, turn heat down and simmer gently until broccoli is tender, about 10-minutes. Turn heat off and remove bay leaf.

Step 3

Place roughly 1 cup of the broccoli and 1 cup of broth into a blender. Let cool 5 minutes. Add the cashews and 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast.

Step 4

Cover tightly with blender lid and kitchen towel, holding it down firmly, when you start the motor (on the lowest setting, working up gradually) to prevent a blender “explosion”. Blend until silky smooth.

Step 5

one more cup broccoli and one more cup broth. Blend again until silky smooth.

Step 6

1-2 big handfuls of fresh baby spinach for that extra vibrant “green” color, and blend until fully incorporated and smooth.

Step 7

Pour this back in the broccoli soup pot, mix and heat gently over low heat, careful not to boil or simmer too long, or you will lose the lovely vibrant green color.

Step 8

Taste for salt, heat, and acid. Add a little squeeze of lime if you like, or extra chili flakes or more pepper.  For extra “cheesy” flavor add another tablespoon of nutritional yeast.

Step 9

Heat 2-3 tablespoons olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add sliced  jalapeno, 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, chili flakes, and optional corn kernals or pumkin seeds. Heat until cumin is fragrant, about 1 minute. Serve the soup in bowls and spoon a little finishing oil over the soup (when serving) in a crescent shape.

Step 10

with fresh cilantro or scallions or a wedge of lime.