Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Ingredients:
6 tbsp butter, divided
3/4 c onion
2 carrots
2 celery stalks
3 c broccoli
21/2 c chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 tsp onion salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
4 tbsp flour
2 c milk
2 c shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Freshly ground black pepper

In a large stock pot or dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until tender, about 5-7 minutes. Add the carrots and celery to the pan and cook a couple of minutes more. Stir in the broccoli, broth, onion salt and garlic powder.

In a medium saucepan, melt remaining butter. Add the flour and cook 1-2 minutes until golden brown, whisking constantly. Whisk in the milk and cook until the mixture thickens and bubbles, about 5 minutes. Once the mixture has thickened, whisk in the cheese until completely melted. Remove from heat and add the cheese sauce to the soup pot. Allow to simmer until warmed through and broccoli is tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

I like to puree half the soup with a immersion blender and top with homemade garlic croutons and some grated cheese.

Christmas Chocolate Bark

1 package semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 package white chocolate chips
2 c rice krispies
candy canes
red and green M&Ms

Smash some candy canes. Melt the semi-sweet chocolate in a double boiler over simmering water. Melt the chocolate completely and spread it out on a parchment lined baking sheet. You want it pretty thin because you are going to be adding more layers. Sprinkle the top with rice krispies. Put the bark in the fridge to set. Meanwhile,melt the white chocolate. Pour the white chocolate over the semi-sweet chocolate layer. Spread the white chocolate out. Sprinkle the top with M&Ms and crushed candy canes. Put it back in the fridge until it sets and hardens. About 30 to 45 minutes. Break apart the chocolate bark. You can do this by hand, or with a sharp knife and cut it into squares.

Source:bakedbree.com

Hot Cocoa Mix

Yield: about 4 cups cocoa mix

Ingredients:
2 c nonfat dry milk powder
3/4 c sugar
1/2 c unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 c semi-sweet mini chocolate chips
1/2 c powdered nondairy creamer
1/8 tsp salt
mini-marshmallows

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and whisk together until blended. Portion into gift packages as desired, and top each with a handful of mini-marshmallows.

Attach tags with the following instructions:Mix 4-5 heaping tablespoons of cocoa mix with hot milk or water to achieve desired flavor. Top with mini-marshmallows.

Source:annies-eats.com