⏳ Yield & Time

Yield: 2 servings

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

🍽 Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Butter
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
• 2 cups Chicken broth
• 4-6 Roasted garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon Fresh thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 cups Broccoli florets
• 1 cup Sharp cheddar cheese

📖 Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). If you're roasting the garlic (highly recommended!), cut the top off a whole head of garlic, drizzle with olive oil, and wrap in foil. Roast for about 30-40 minutes, or until soft and caramelized. Let it cool slightly then squeeze out the roasted cloves. (If skipping this step, simply mince 4-6 cloves of raw garlic)
2. While the oven's busy, chop your broccoli into bite-sized florets. This ensures even cooking. Don't make 'em too small, though – you still want some nice, tender-crisp florets!
3. In your large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the olive oil. Don’t burn the butter, that's just sad for everyone involved.
4. Add the flour to the melted butter and oil. Whisk constantly for about 1-2 minutes, forming a light roux. Don't rush this step! It's what helps the stew thicken beautifully.
5. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth. This is where patience is key. If you add it too quickly, you'll get lumps. Nobody wants lumpy stew!
6. Bring the broth to a simmer, stirring frequently. Once simmering, add the roasted (or raw) garlic, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
7. Add the broccoli florets and simmer for about 5-7 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender-crisp. Don’t overcook it! We want vibrant green broccoli, not mushy sadness.
8. Reduce the heat to low, and stir in the cheddar cheese until it's completely melted and the stew is smooth and creamy. If you want, you could even use a hand blender or food processor to create an ultra-smooth consistency.
9. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. You might want a little more salt, pepper, or even a dash of cayenne for a kick! Adjust to your tastebuds!
10. Serve immediately, optionally garnished with a little extra cheese, or some fresh thyme, or some kind of delicious crunchy thingamajig. I’m thinking maybe toasted breadcrumbs might be nice…?
11. Enjoy your delicious, soul-warming broccoli cheddar stew! Share it with a friend; it's much more fun that way!

📝 Notes

• Feel free to adjust the amount of cheese to your liking.
• For a spicier stew, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce.
• If you don't have fresh thyme, you can substitute with 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. But let’s be honest, who ever has leftovers of this dish?