This recipe is delicious and has some surprising ingredients.
Surprise Broccoli Soup
1 T olive oil
1 med onion diced
1.5 lbs. broccoli - washed and cut - I peel the stalks and chop them too
4 cups chicken or veggie stock
1.5 cups water
1 cup of rolled oats or steel cut oats
1 cup grated cheddar cheese - I use low fat or a little asiago
.25 cup diced red peppers
salt & pepper to taste
Directions:
Saute the onions in olive oil.
Add the broth and water and oats. Let cook about 10 min. then add broccoli and cook for another 10 min.
Using an immersion blender or regular blender, blend soup. At this point add the cheese and red peppers. I leave the cheese out and just add it as garnish so I can control the calories a little more.

This is a surprisingly delicious soup - high in fiber and nutrients! I have made it with cauliflower instead of broccoli and have added celery and carrots for extra flavour too! I think it is a great base to experiment with other veggies - squash would be great too!

This is a quick and easy recipe for cold days.
Saute onions and celery in a little olive oil.
Put in crockpot along with about 3 pounds of carrots, peeled and cut into chunks.
Add 4 cups of chicken or veggie stock and cook on low all day - 8 - 10 hours.
When I get home from work I add 1 tablespoon of curry powder, some grated ginger, and half a teaspoon of turmeric (I may add more curry powder to taste). I then blend it all with an immersion blender until smooth.
At this point I either serve it with a dollop of greek (or balkan) yogurt and a salad and some whole grain bread or I sometimes add chunks of roasted red peppers, and/or cauliflower and either black or white cannellini beans (they can be blended to or left as chunks) . If I add the veggies I also add the dollop of yogurt. It makes for a complete meal and the leftovers are great for lunch at work or it freezes nicely too!
I love using my crock pot because when I come home the meal is basically ready and the house smells heavenly and inviting!