Garlic-Broccoli Soup

Yield:	4 Servings
Categories:	Soups, Garlic, Vegetables

12		Garlic clove
1	bn	Broccoli
4	tb	Butter, sweet
3	tb	Flour
1	ts	Salt
1/2	ts	Black pepper
2	c	Milk
		Half-and half; as needed
		Hungarian sweet paprika

Drop unpeeled garlic cloves into boiling water for one minute (30 seconds for small cloves); remove from water, peel, and mince. Cut broccoli into buds and stems, discarding woody portions. Cook in boiling water until tender; remove and drain. Melt butter in 2-quart saucepan. When butter starts to bubble, add garlic, stirring rapidly for a few seconds. Quickly add flour, salt, and pepper. Stir constantly for one minute. Add milk and broth, stirring briskly with a wire whisk until sauce is thickened. In a blender or food processor, puree broccoli with a little sauce, adding remaining sauce until all of broccoli is blended. Correct seasonings to taste and thin with half-and- half to the desired consistency. Serve sprinkled with Hungarian sweet paprika.

NOTE: This rich and creamy soup has excellent garlic flavor. It is better the second day and may be served cold as well as hot. Add a little half-and-half the next day just before serving.

[ The Garlic Lovers' Cookbook, Vol II; Celestial Arts; 1985 ]