Broccoli and Cheese Soup (Low Carb -Instant Pot)

This is a favorite at our house but I make a few adjustments to keep the carbs low.

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 4 cups (I use 5-6 cups) vegetable broth (or chicken stock if not vegetarian)
  • 4 cups (I use 5-6 cups) bite-sized broccoli florets
  • 1 cup matchstick or grated carrots (High carb veg (11g) with little added taste and nutritional value.)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste (Remember that cheese is high sodium so don’t add any more until after you taste the finished product.)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 cup corn starch (Empty carbs (29g) and the added broccoli makes it thick enough.)
  • 1/4 cup cold water
  • 2 cups 1/4 cup cream or half-and-half (Added broth so there’s enough liquid; Half & Half has 21 g carbs)
  • 2 cups grated cheddar cheese (Will sometimes add more after tasting.)

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Select browning/sauté to preheat the pressure cooker. Add the butter and onion and sauté until the onion is tender, about 3 minutes.
  2. Add the garlic and cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  3. Stir in the chicken (or vegetable) stock, broccoli, carrots, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
  4. Lock the lid in place, make sure the vent is set to seal, and select high pressure and 1 TWO minute cook time.
  5. When the cooking time ends, use the quick pressure release. When the valve drops, remove the lid carefully.
  6. Use immersion blender to smooth out vegetables. In a small bowl whisk together the corn starch and cold water until smooth.
  7. Set the pressure cook to sauté/browning and slowly add the corn starch mixture to the pot. Stir constantly until the soup comes to a boil and thickens.
  8. Turn off the pressure cooker. Slowly stir in the cream or half-and-half.
  9. Add the cheese a handful at a time and stir until it melts.
  10. Adjust salt and pepper to taste and serve hot.

The original recipe came from here: https://www.blessthismessplease.com/best-instant-pot-broccoli-cheese-soup/

Scary Food Dyes

Since I first mentioned this in a video, I’ve had several questions about the topic. Rather than send you into some heavy research, you’ll see my favorite infographic that gives you a quick overview of specific dyes and their “issues” at the bottom of this post.

Important: While many of these dyes (and preservatives, flavor enhancements and other food related chemicals) be labeled by the FDA as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe), it’s important to know that they are tested in small amounts WITH NO OTHER FACTORS INCLUDED. Now consider an abundance of GRAS chemicals we’re exposed to an a daily basis and that’s where the concern arises.

You can learn more about how this effects children by clicking the link below and I can vouch for it first hand! After cleaning up our diet, my youngest’s diagnosis of “significant to severe ADHD” was greatly improved!

The original post can be found here: https://www.special-education-degree.net/food-dyes/

Colors to Die For
Source: Special-Education-Degree.net

Giant Gingerbread Men

These are favorite holiday treats at our house! I bought these cookie sheets a long time ago and the exact ones are no longer available BUT Wilton has an updated version*! The original recipe calls for shortening and a few other chemical-y things that I’ve replaced. The result is a brownie-like texture that we really enjoy and it makes enough for 2 giant gingerbread men!

Ingredients

    • 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
    • 3/4 cup granulated sugar (or Stevia)
    • 1/2 cup butter (I use salted)
    • 1/4 cup molasses
    • 2 eggs
    • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
    • 2 cups all-purpose flour (unbleached)
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions

      • Preheat oven to 300°F.
      • Cream together sugars, butter, molasses, eggs and vanilla in large bowl; beat with electric mixer till smooth.
      • In another large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, ginger, salt, cinnamon, and cloves; add dry mixture a little at a time to the wet mixture, stirring as you go.
      •  For large gingerbread men, don’t spread dough all the way to the edges
      • Bake for around 30 minutes (depends on the oven).  I set my oven to “convection” so I can cook both pans at one time. For a crisper cookie, set oven to “bake” and cook one sheet at a time.

     

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