Potato Cheddar Broccoli Soup

Some of the kids will eat it, some won't, but dad & mom sure liked it!

2 TBS butter
1 onion, diced (or puree in blender)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 red, yellow or orange pepper, diced (or 5-6 mini peppers)
2 TBS flour
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 to 1 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp salt
freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 c. chopped fresh broccoli (or use frozen)
8-10 small red potatoes (or 2-3 large), diced with skins on (1/2" chunks)
1 c. grated cheddar
1/2 c. cream or milk (optional)

Melt butter in large pot, add onions and garlic and saute. I always puree my onions in soup because some of the kids do not like onion chunks. Add chopped peppers and saute until soft about 5 min.

Meanwhile mix flour with spices. Add to sauteed onions and cook for a minute. Slowly add chicken broth . Bring to a boil and then add potato chunks. Boil for 15 minutes or so. Add chopped broccoli (small pieces, including stem). Boil 10 minutes more until both broccoli &
potatoes are soft.

Using a hand blender, blend soup till smooth. Or process in small batches in the blender to make smooth (blend about 2 cups at a time, pour back into pot, and repeat.) Add cheese and cream as desired.

Can start in the morning in a crockpot if desired, just add cheese/cream at the end.