Ree Drummond, affectionately known as The Pioneer Woman, holds a special place in the hearts of home cooks everywhere. Her recipes, showcased on her popular blog, Food Network show, and bestselling cookbooks, are synonymous with heartwarming, flavorful dishes perfect for sharing with loved ones. Each creation is not just a meal, but an invitation to gather around the table and savor the simple joys of good food and good company, often envisioned against the backdrop of her picturesque ranch.
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays
Her cookbook, The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays, is a treasure trove of such comforting recipes, designed to celebrate special occasions throughout the year. From New Year’s Day traditions to Thanksgiving feasts, Ree meticulously guides readers through each dish with her signature step-by-step photo style, making even elaborate holiday meals feel approachable and achievable. It’s no surprise this cookbook is a sought-after gift, promising a year of delicious, home-style celebrations.
Within the pages of this holiday-themed cookbook, you’ll find Ree’s delightful recipe for Broccoli-Cheese Soup, a dish that perfectly embodies her comforting and crowd-pleasing approach to cooking. Inspired by this classic soup, we’ll also explore a creative twist: a Broccoli Cheddar Panini, transforming the soup’s familiar flavors into a satisfying sandwich.
Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe in The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays
The idea of transforming the beloved Broccoli-Cheese Soup into a panini was sparked by the soup’s rich and cheesy goodness. Imagine the same comforting flavors, but in sandwich form! The key ingredients – broccoli, cheddar cheese, and sourdough bread – were readily apparent. To enhance the “soup” essence within the panini, sautéed onions were added, creating a truly harmonious and flavorful combination. The result? A Broccoli Cheddar Panini that captures the heart of the soup in every bite.
The Pioneer Woman’s Broccoli-Cheese Soup Recipe
This recipe, reprinted directly from The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays, offers a generous yield of 12 servings, perfect for family gatherings or holiday meals. With a prep time of 15 minutes and a cook time of 40 minutes, you can have a pot of creamy, comforting broccoli cheese soup ready in under an hour.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups whole milk
- 2 cups half-and-half
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 4 broccoli heads, cut into florets
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 3 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, plus more for garnish
- Small bread loaves for bowls
Directions:
- Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Sprinkle flour over the onions and whisk to combine. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Gradually whisk in milk and half-and-half until smooth.
- Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add broccoli florets and stir to combine.
- Cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until broccoli is tender and soup has thickened.
- Stir in chicken broth to adjust consistency if needed.
- Add shredded cheddar cheese and stir until melted and smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings.
- To serve in bread bowls, cut off the top of small bread loaves and hollow out the center, leaving a rim.
- Ladle soup into bread bowls and garnish with extra shredded cheese.
Broccoli Cheese Soup from The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays
Broccoli Cheddar Panini Recipe Inspired by the Soup
Taking inspiration from Ree’s Broccoli-Cheese Soup, this panini recipe transforms the soup’s core flavors into a delightful sandwich. Created by Kathy Strahs of PaniniHappy.com, this recipe yields 4 panini and takes about 30 minutes from prep to finish.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, at room temperature
- 8 slices sourdough or rustic white bread
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, sliced
- 3/4 cup cooked, chopped broccoli florets
Directions:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until caramelized and browned.
- Preheat panini press to medium-high heat.
- For each panini, butter two slices of bread on one side.
- Flip one slice of bread (buttered side down) and layer with cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, cooked broccoli, and another layer of cheddar cheese.
- Top with the second slice of bread, buttered side up.
- Grill panini in the preheated press for 4-6 minutes, or until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted and gooey.
Enjoy the taste of The Pioneer Woman’s comforting flavors in both the classic soup and the innovative panini!
