Easy Broccoli Soup

• bunch or two of broccoli
• 2 -3 T. olive oil
• 2 - 3 shallots
• 3 - 4 green onions
• ~1 -- 1 1/2 t. salt (for water when cooking broccoli and to taste)
• 1/4 t. black pepper
• 1/8 - 1/4 t. cayenne
• ~ 4 -- 8 cups liquid depending. I use chicken stock but you can use vegetable stock or water
• 1/2 T. butter (optional)
• splash of 1/2 & 1/2 or milk (optional)

1. In large, heavy saucepan or stock pot bring an inch or so of salted water to a boil.
2. Roughly chop broccoli and add to water
3. Reduce heat to high simmer, cover and let cook for about 8 minutes (or until tender)
4. In saute pan, add olive oil and heat oil. Add chopped shallots and green onions. Saute until tender.
5. When broccoli is tender, add shallots, green onions with the olive oil in which they cooked. Don't drain remaining water -- use it in the soup. Add stock, black and cayenne peppers, blend using either a hand blender (be sure to turn off heat before using!) or in batches in a standard blender.
6. Add butter and 1/2 & 1/2 (optional)
7. Salt to taste.
8. Heat if needed and serve.

broccoli, olive oil, shallots, green onions, salt, black pepper, cayenne, liquid depending, butter, milk

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/easy-broccoli-soup-53062791 (may not work)