Broccoli Cheeze Soup, Pleaze.

Dear Panera Bread :

You probably think that your Broccoli Cheese Soup is like, one of the most amazing soups on earth, huh??? Well, guess what?!

It really is.

But listen up, Chez de Panera - I've got a recipe that definitely rivals YOUR cheesy broccoli yumminess, and I can make it for a heck of a lot cheaper then $5 + dollars per bowl. Thats right. I will no longer be traveling far and wide just to get my weekly dose of broccoli cheese soup. I will be making it right.here. at. home. I hope this doesn't drive too big a wedge in our relationship. I will still spend the $7 + on your Bacon Turkey Bravo every week, don't you worry.

Love,

Broccoli Cheese Soup Luver 4 Ever

Its true, folks. I found a super simple, super amazing recipe for Broccoli Cheese Soup - its really, really great and SO easy to make. I made half a batch (a.k.a 6 servings) of the recipe and it was just enough for both of us to have gigantor sized bowls of it for dinner, plus enough leftover for 2 "lunch-sized" servings for the next day. I, of course, being a fresh produce fanatic, used fresh broccoli, not frozen. Please follow suit. Frozen chopped broccoli is just ... just don't do it. Broccoli is available year round, is very cheap, and only takes a minute to chop up. I used a whole head for the half batch and it was choke full of broccoli goodness! And I cannot wax poetic enough about the Velveeta cheese....I mean, who doesn't like bright yellow pasteurized prepared cheese product? Its gourmet dining at its finest.

I whipped this up, added 6,634 cups of grated sharp cheddar on top, and served it with a nice, crunchy sourdough baguette. $10 later, me and N had a meat-free, cheese-filled explosion of a dinner.

Broccoli Cheese Soup

(12 Servings)

Ingredients

· 1/2 cup butter

· 1 onion, chopped

· 1 (16 ounce) package frozen chopped broccoli OR 1 head fresh broccoli, stems removed, florets chopped into bite sized pieces

· 4 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth

· 1 (1 pound) loaf processed cheese food, cubed

· 2 cups milk

· 1 tablespoon garlic powder

· 2/3 cup cornstarch

· 1 cup water

Directions

1. In a stockpot, melt butter over medium heat. Cook onion in butter until softened. Stir in broccoli, and cover with chicken broth. Simmer until broccoli is tender, 10 to 15 minutes.

2. Reduce heat, and stir in cheese cubes until melted. Mix in milk and garlic powder.

3. In a small bowl, stir cornstarch into water until dissolved. Stir into soup; cook, stirring frequently, until thick.

Crabby Valentine's Day and Butter. Lots and lots of butter.

Quick, if you could chow down on anything, no matter the price or availability, what would it be? Would it be crab legs? The answer would undoubtedly be "Yes, Yes, Yes!" if you were me or N. Crab legs are ugly, expensive, messy, and can cause copious bleeding if poked by, but nevertheless, they are hands down, UNBELIEVABLY good. So, for Valentines Day, N and I thought we'd splurge and buy a few pounds. I cooked up these babies (well, boiled them, that is) for 8 minutes in salted/lemony water, and served 'em with loaded baked potatoes, huge salads with homemade ranch dressing, rolls, chocolate dipped strawberries, and holyfreakin'yes, it was truly a feast fit for a King. Or maybe Gerard Butler. Yes, I would definitely serve this to Gerard Butler.

PS -

I forgot to mention the amount of melted butter we used to dip our crabby legs in. Are you ready for this?

We went through a whole stick.

Thats really sick, isn't it?

My Super Exciting List of Favorite Things

Because I have not a single thing to do today, I thought I'd compose a list of My Favorite Things. These are the things that I Cannot Live Or Breathe Without. They are all lifelines to my soul, and allow me to get through each day without going spastic or having some sort of nervous breakdown.

Drumroll please....

1)

My Samsung Reclaim:

Oh, my little green eco-friendly phone. Who was I before you? You may not be top-of-the-line, have a great amount of megapixels, or get any sort of reception in all large grocery stores....but you still hold a very large spot in my heart for being so flippin' cute and for making me look so eco-conscious, which is super important to me. You also allow me to access Facebook as much as my obsessive compulsive self can, which also earns mucho points in my book.

2)

My fake Uggs:

If you've been on my Facebook, you KNOW the importance of these Fuggs to myself. I even wrote them a brief little letter a few months ago....:

Dear Fake Uggs: - I ♥ you. I could wear you every day, all day, I would even sleep in you if the need arose. You have provided me with comfort, security, and even a little bit of style, if paired w/ my skinny jeans and a great top. Thank you for being you. You were the best $29.99 I ever spent.

Love,
Me

3)

Clean & Clear Dual Action Moisturizer:

I feel like I'm 14 confessing that I use and LOVE this moisturizer, but I do, I really do. I've been using it since I was 14 and its never failed me, ever. Its super cheap, never drying, keeps my skin nice and happy, and smells so fresh (so fresh and so clean, clean!). (Shout out to Outkast there) Sadly, I will soon have to retire this lovely moisturizer and switch to a more grown up brand due to the fact that I HAVE MY FIRST WRINKLE and need something a little more intense. But, its okay, we had a good run, Ms. Clean & Clear and I. Oh, the agony of reaching my late 20's!

4)

Victoria's Secret Dream Angels Heavenly Perfume/Lotion/Shower Gel:

Another product that I know has been around forever, but that I keep turning to over and over...its been my 'go-to' scent for years. I love that its super musky and sexy, but somehow maintains a 'fresh' note, so its a more of a 'Sexy Young Woman' musk, instead of '85 year old Grandma' musk.

5)

Starbucks Natural Fusions Coffees:

If it's in the budget for the week, I snatch up this coffee. All 3 flavors are spectacular. I'd have to say that me and N are deeply immersed in Coffee World - we have a pot brewing all day long, go through a bag a week, and make frequent trips to Starbucks. Also, we're slightly Coffee Snobby, so its gotta be GOOD stuff. Starbucks definitely satisfies.

6)

Yankee Candles:

Just ask anyone - if you come to our house and a Yankee Candle ISN'T burning somewhere in the family room...something is wrong. Something is very, very wrong. My Mom (Thanks Mommmm) got me started on these candles when I was a teen, and I still buy/use/obsess over Yankee Candles as much as I did 10 years ago. They're slightly more expensive then your average candle, but durnnit, they make my house cozy and smell good, so I'm buying 'em! Favorite scents: Buttercream Frosting, Mandarin Cranberry, and Vanilla Lime.

7)

Barefoot Wines:

"Oh gosh, I love Barefoot Wines!" - me to anyone that ever asks me about wine. I'm super aware I am not a wine aficionado -I know nothing of 'good barrels' or how much more oak-y this wine is then that wine...all I know is that when it comes to Barefoot Wines, I 1) Love the Price 2) Love the taste and 3) Love that they get the job done. (I'm not a wino, what are you talking about?)

And 8) - can't leave out 8)

My Royal Oak Public Library Card:
I've got my nose constantly stuck in a book, and go through 2, maybe 3 books a week - so therefore, I have to list my Library Card as one of my favorite things, I suppose. Does this make me the city's hugest nerd? Probably. Do I care? Eh, not really!

Blueberry....Muffins?

Okay. Time to 'fess up. You'll never find a recipe for Blueberry Pancakes on here. I know you were all waiting for that perfect, 5 star, can't-live-without recipe that I was supposed to dole out. My sincerest apologies, but it just ain't gonna happen.

Oh, don't scoff. Don't scowl. I just think blueberry pancakes are so simple to make, that anything beyond the recipe on the side of the pancake box is truly not necessary. I see nothing wrong with grabbing your box of Bisquick or Aunt Jemima (see post below, my love for Ms. Jemima is quite apparent), doing some mixing and beating, and throwing in some berries. That's what makes blueberry pancakes so perfect. They are simplicity at its finest.

BUT, never fear - I've got something better for you. A truly scrumptious recipe for Blueberry Muffins! Get excited folks. These guys are so easy to make and taste so wonderful - they're loaded w/ blueberries and generously coated with a crunchy, awesome streusel topping. Whip these up for someone, anyone, and I'll guarantee you that your relationship with that person will greatly improve within minutes of them consuming one of these berry studded babies.

Dear Blog: Let me explain why I named you what I did. Love, Me.

Maybe you've spent some time on here now, perused through my short (but steadily!) growing list of posts/recipes and have come to the realization that although my blog is titled after a super yummy breakfast delight....I've never really properly explained why I called it that, nor do I have any recipes for pancakes on here either.

I named my blog after blueberry pancakes because blueberry pancakes are something I've always turned to if I'm in need of some nostalgic comfort food, or just can't think of anything else to cook. They have become on my constant go-to recipe. I've been whipping up pancakes for my family since I was just a wee little lass, and continued the tradition with N - the first breakfast I ever made him was blueberry pancakes (and bacon, of course. You have to cook a man bacon. Its just another law of nature, ya know?).

Every few months, when I'm feeling a little down, a little anxious, or okay, maybe just a little lazy...I turn to blueberry pancakes. They are my steadfast little blobs of love.