Broccoli + White Bean Soup

You guessed it... another soup recipe!!! If you have a love/hate relationship with Panera like I do, you will appreciate this great swap that I came across. It's a way healthier version of their Broccoli and Cheddar soup, that actually has no cheese in it... crazy. Adding a little bit on top is just enough, and the beans give it a great consistency that mimics the decadent and creamy goodness that is broccoli and cheese soup. My mouth is seriously watering right now. 

I can't for the life of me find it now to give credit because I would love to thank the person that came up with this... {SO sorry mystery recipe creator!!}

ingredients:

4 cloves of garlic
1 medium onion
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 large head of broccoli (approx. 4 cups) washed and cut into florets
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, rinsed
4 cups low sodium vegetable broth
2 tbsp fresh rosemary, washed and chopped
optional: parmesan cheese or sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese

instructions:

1. Using a food processor, shred garlic and onions
2. In a soup pot or dutch oven, heat olive oil and saute garlic and onions on medium heat for 4-5 minutes
3. Shred broccoli in the food processor until desired size is reached
4. Add broccoli and saute in onion/garlic mixture 2-3 minutes
5. Puree cannellini beans in the food processor and add to the vegetable mixture
6. Season with salt, pepper and paprika
7. Using a whisk, slowly incorporate vegetable broth
8. Add rosemary
9. Cover and simmer on med-low heat for 12-15 minutes until reduced to desired thickness {doubling the recipe, it does not reduce to a very thick consistency in 15 minutes}
10. Serve with cheese and black pepper if you'd like

notes:

• The flavor of this soup is great, but I would recommend adding in perhaps another level of flavor - I am thinking nutmeg maybe the next time I make it. And also leaving some of the broccoli chunkier, as well as onions. 
• This soup has approximately 150 calories 3g fat and 600mg sodium (based on the type of beans and vegg stock you use - this calculation is based on a doubled recipe above, making 10 servings)
• A large Panera's Broccoli and Cheddar soup (13.25 oz) has 330 calories, 21g fat and 1390mg sodium - and that's not even including the bread bowl... Eek!