Copy-Cat Big Boy Broccoli Soup #SoupSaturdaySwappers

Welcome to Soup Saturday Swappers.  I started this group as a way to unite those who, like me, were raised eating a lot of soups and stews when growing up.

Our moms had large families and small incomes and needed to make their grocery budget stretch. My mom did this by serving soups and stews several times a week.   It was a great way to feed a family of eight plus all of the friends we brought to the table with not one person leaving the table hungry.

If you like soups and would like to join our group we would love to have you, just leave your blog url and email address in the comments section of this post.  We post on the 3rd Saturday of each month based on a theme chosen by one of our members.  This months theme, Copy Cat Recipes, is being hosted by Heather of All Roads Lead to the Kitchen..

I love broccoli soup and one of my favorites is from Big Boy Restaurants.  Big Boy Restaurants can be found throughout the United States and are also located in Japan, making them an International Restaurant.  Did you know that?  I  didn't.  I thought they were a Midwestern restaurant but Wikipedia set me straight.  According to them, Big Boy was first started in California and then spread across the country.  In 2000 the company changed hands to the current owners who have also started franchises in Japan.

I wonder if they use the same recipes in Japan?  Anyway, back to my soup.  I did another google search for Big Boy Broccoli Soup and found a whole website of Top Secret Recipes from Todd Wilbur.  A search on this site landed me the recipe I adapted for my soup.

My adaptations are very slight.  I added 2 more cups of broth and 1 more head of broccoli and omitted the ham. I used an immersion blender to puree the soup.  I was amazed at how perfectly this recipe replicated that soup from Big Boy that I love.

This recipe is very easy and is ready in less than an hour.  It reheats very well and is perfect to take to work or school in a lunchbox in the event you have any leftovers.

I didn't miss the ham but I will add it next time if I have any on hand in the house.  In fact, this recipe would be very adaptable to using holiday leftovers.  I garnished each bowl with some shredded cheese before serving but failed to take a photo with the cheese garnish.

Copy-Cat Big Boy Broccoli Soup

slightly adapted from Todd Wilbur

6 c. Chicken broth

2 lg heads broccoli, florets removed and coarsely chopped

1 onion, diced

1 bay leaf

salt and pepper to taste

1/4 c. flour

1/2 c. heavy cream

Place the broth, broccoli, onion, bay leaf, salt and pepper in a large soup pot over high heat and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer, covered for 30 minutes, until vegetables are tender.

Using an immersion blender, puree about half of the soup.  Combine the flour and cream.  Whisk the cream mixture into the soup, stirring until all lumps are dissolved.  Cook over low heat for an additional 10-15 minutes to allow the soup to thicken. Print Recipe

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