Broccoli Cheddar Soup

A creamy, cheesy, filling soup for a winter day.

Serves 5 or 6

6 Tablespoons butter
1 medium onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 cup flour
2 cups half and half
3 cups chicken broth
1/2 pound fresh broccoli
2 cups carrots, julienned
salt and pepper to taste
8 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese

Saute onion and garlic in butter until onion is tender. Stir in flour; a paste will form. Continue cooking and stirring over medium heat for about 2 minutes. Stirring constantly, slowly add half and half and then the chicken broth. Simmer for 20 minutes.

Add broccoli and carrots.
Timesaving tip: If you to not have a mandoline to julienne your carrots, you may be able to find "matchstick" carrots in your grocery store.

Cook over low heat until the veggies are tender and soup has thickened, 25 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally. When soup is thickened, add the cheese. Stir until well blended. Serve when cheese has melted.

If soup gets too thick, you can thin it with extra milk or chicken broth.

Banana Bars with Toasted Frosting

Chris really liked these!
Makes 48 bars

Bars:
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sour cream or yogurt
2 eggs
2 large (1 cup) ripe bananas
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

Frosting:
1/4 cup butter
2 cups powdered sugar
3 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 Tablespoon maple syrup (optional)
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted OR
2/3 cup toasted coconut

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Cream together butter, sugars, sour cream (or yogurt) and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Add bananas and vanilla and mix well. Add remaining bar ingredients and beat until well mixed.

Spread batter in a greased (10"x15") jelly roll pan. The Pampered Chef bar pan is perfect.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

For frosting, melt the butter in a 1 quart pot over medium heat. Continue cooking, stirring constantly until butter just starts to golden (5-6 minutes). Butter will bubble and foam. Remove from heat and cool.

Combine cooled toasted butter, powdered sugar, cream cheese, vanilla, and maple syrup in a small bowl. Beat until smooth.

Spread frosting over bars. Sprinkle with pecans or coconut. Cut into bars.

I couldn't find my coconut, so the bars are plain with the frosting in the photo. =)