Poem: Empty (1/1)

Oct. 10th, 2025 07:57 pm
bradygirl_12: (batgirl (happy halloween))
[personal profile] bradygirl_12
Title: Empty (Poem)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: Bruce/Dick
Fandom: DC Comics
Genres: Angst Drama, Holiday, Halloween, Mystery
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Implied Violence
Spoilers: None
General Summary: Violence comes to Wayne Manor.
Original DW/LJ Date Of Completion: October 7, 2025
Original DW/LJ Date Of Posting: October 10, 2025
Disclaimer; I don't own 'em, DC Comics does, more's the pity.
Original DW/LJ Word Count: 47
Feedback welcome and appreciated.

The cobwebs hang )

This poem can also be read on AO3.

Cross-posts:https://bradygirl-12.livejournal.com/1597635

Challenge 494: Brilliant

Oct. 10th, 2025 04:35 pm
teaotter: Parker, laughing at her phone (Parker laughing)
[personal profile] teaotter posting in [community profile] fan_flashworks
Our new challenge is:

BRILLIANT



As always, you can interpret the prompt literally or figuratively, in whatever way works for you.

Each work created for this challenge should be posted as a new entry to the comm. Posting starts now and continues up until the challenge ends at 4pm Pacific Time on Monday, October 20th. No sign-up required.

Mods will tag your work with fandom and challenge. When you've posted entries to three consecutive challenges, you will earn a name tag, and we'll go back and tag all your previous entries with your name.

All kinds of fanworks in all fandoms are welcome. Please have a look at our guidelines before you play. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact a mod. And if you have any suggestions for future challenges, you can leave them in the comments of this post.

You can view stats for [community profile] fan_flashworks entries and search and filter them via the Community Report and Creator Report. See our FAQ post for more details. (Three cheers for [personal profile] treonb! *\o/*)

Also, keep an eye out for the next [community profile] ffw_social post, which will go up in the next couple of days. If you haven't joined the [community profile] ffw_social comm, it's never too late to come and check it out. (Posts are locked, which means you have to join to see them.)

Daily Check In.

Oct. 10th, 2025 06:05 pm
adafrog: (Default)
[personal profile] adafrog posting in [community profile] fandom_checkin
This is your check-in post for today. The poll will be open from midnight Universal or Zulu Time (8pm Eastern Time) on Friday to midnight on Saturday (8pm Eastern Time).


Poll #33710 Daily poll
Open to: Access List, detailed results viewable to: Access List, participants: 8

How are you doing?

I am okay
6 (75.0%)

I am not okay, but don't need help right now
2 (25.0%)

I could use some help.
0 (0.0%)

How many other humans are you living with?

I am living single
2 (25.0%)

One other person
3 (37.5%)

More than one other person
3 (37.5%)




Please, talk about how things are going for you in the comments, ask for advice or help if you need it, or just discuss whatever you feel like.

Guardian: fanfic: Retreat

Oct. 11th, 2025 11:10 am
china_shop: Close-up of Da Qing looking conspiratorial (Guardian - Da Qing conspiratorial)
[personal profile] china_shop posting in [community profile] fan_flashworks
Title: Retreat
Fandom: Guardian (TV)
Rating: G-rated
Length: 733 words
Notes: Much thanks to [personal profile] trobadora for read-through and feedback on an earlier version. <3
Tags: Gen, Da Qing, Napping spots, Very mild crossover
Summary: Hidden in the dim reaches of the SID library, behind stacks of old case files, is a portal.

Retreat )

Birdfeeding

Oct. 10th, 2025 04:35 pm
ysabetwordsmith: Cartoon of me in Wordsmith persona (Default)
[personal profile] ysabetwordsmith
Today is partly cloudy and warm.

I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 10/10/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 10/10/25 -- I did a more work around the patio.

EDIT 10/10/25 -- I loaded the new construction staple gun and tested it. This thing works great with very little pressure against a surface to get the staples in. :D The only drawback is that, like most tools, it is sized for a man's large hand and is awkward for me to use with my small hands.

EDIT 10/10/25 -- I got the wire mesh cut, but I clearly don't have the time or energy to finish the whole project today. Still, progress.

EDIT 10/10/25 -- I put damp sand in the bag of groundnuts to keep them from drying out.







.

Scream Park: fanfic: roll with it

Oct. 10th, 2025 01:58 pm
teaotter: Guo Chancheng holds up a sign: I have no idea what I'm doing (no idea what I'm doing)
[personal profile] teaotter posting in [community profile] fan_flashworks
Title: roll with it
Fandom: Scream Park (mods: you can use the board game tag if we have one)
Challenge: Garden
Length: ~300 words

Note: Scream Park is a fun board game where you're putting together a haunted house using the bits and pieces of previous haunts, and then trying to lure VIPS to come see what you've done.

Summary: It's a half-hour to opening, and things are still going wrong.

Read more... )

No Fandom: Junk Journal Pages: Cycles

Oct. 10th, 2025 02:14 pm
drabblewriter: (Default)
[personal profile] drabblewriter posting in [community profile] fan_flashworks
Title: Cycles
Fandom:
None/original
Rating: G
Length: 3 junk journal pages
Summary: Hope in the cycles of democracy, justice, and progress.
Note: Quotes are adapted from a political coping conversation with ChatGPT. (I'm worried about getting hate for this, but I have to be honest. I would never claim something an AI wrote, least of all prose, as mine, but these lines were really meaningful for me in a time when I've been dealing with a ton of anxiety over current events.)

Read more... )

Aubette 1928

Oct. 10th, 2025 07:59 pm
cmcmck: (Default)
[personal profile] cmcmck
This amazing art deco building was designed by the well known designers and artists Hans and Sophie Arp and and the architect Theo van Doesberg.

It's remarkable to think that all this was covered up and lost until restoration in the nineteen eighties and nineties.


See more! )

Check-In Post - Oct 10th 2025

Oct. 10th, 2025 07:13 pm
badly_knitted: (Get Knitted)
[personal profile] badly_knitted posting in [community profile] get_knitted

Hello to all members, passers-by, curious onlookers, and shy lurkers, and welcome to our regular daily check-in post. Just leave a comment below to let us know how your current projects are progressing, or even if they're not.

Checking in is NOT compulsory, check in as often or as seldom as you want, this community isn't about pressure it's about encouragement, motivation, and support. Crafting is meant to be fun, and what's more fun than sharing achievements and seeing the wonderful things everyone else is creating?

There may also occasionally be questions, but again you don't have to answer them, they're just a way of getting to know each other a bit better.


This Week's Question (courtesy of [personal profile] ysabetwordsmith): For those of us who do yarn crafts, what kinds of yarn do you prefer working with and why?


If anyone has any questions of their own about the community, or suggestions for tags, questions to be asked on the check-in posts, or if anyone is interested in playing check-in host for a week here on the community, which would entail putting up the daily check-in posts and responding to comments, go to the Questions & Suggestions post and leave a comment.

I now declare this Check-In OPEN!



30 Minute Posole

Oct. 10th, 2025 01:30 pm
[syndicated profile] budgetbytes_feed

Posted by Beth Moncel

Whenever I have leftover pulled pork in my fridge, this easy 30 Minute Posole recipe is the only thing on my mind. It’s my budget-friendly, quick take on traditional posole, made with pantry staples and ready in half an hour. This filling, flavor-packed, comforting stew is leftovers done right. It’s a weeknight dinner you’ll purposefully make extra pork for, just so you have an excuse to whip it up again. 😊

Side view of a bowl of 30 minute posole with a spoon taking some from the bowl.

“Don’t let this recipe pass you by. This recipe has become our “go to”. It’s so flavorful, easy and quick. Don’t forget the lime and cilantro at the end, it really makes it pop! So delicious.”

Margaret

Quick & Budget-Friendly Posole

Posole, or pozole, is a rich stew, typically made with slow-cooked pork, hominy, chiles, and lots of delicious toppings. The “posole” I made here is definitely not authentic; it’s more of a quickie stand-in for the good stuff. Kind of like ramen you buy in a 50-cent pack versus real ramen. If you want to make real posole/pozole, here is an authentic Mexican Pozole recipe from My Latina Table, so you can see what it’s really all about.

I used up leftover pork from my chili rubbed pork recipe, which helped my “quickie posole” come together really fast, so this recipe is a great way to take advantage of those leftovers on busy nights!

Recipe Tips & Suggestions

  1. Try a different meat. Pork is the typical meat for posole, and some readers have swapped the pulled pork for leftover cooked pork chops (roughly chopped). But if you have leftover shredded chicken or beef, I say, why not go ahead and use that. I think it would be equally as delicious!
  2. Like our chicken enchilada soup, I used my homemade red enchilada sauce as a base for this soup, which helped thicken the broth and provide a TON of instant flavor. I don’t recommend substituting with store-bought enchilada sauce as I don’t think it’ll work quite the same!
  3. To make this recipe vegetarian/vegan, use vegetable broth and add an extra can of hominy in place of the pulled pork. Canned pinto, kidney, or black beans (drained) would also be delicious and add some protein.
  4. Add your favorite toppings! I kept the toppings for my soup simple to keep costs low, but if you want to splurge, I think this soup would be awesome with a little shredded cheddar, pepper jack, sour cream, avocado, shredded cabbage, or thinly sliced radish, too.
Overhead view of a bowl of homemade 30 minute pozole.
Print Add to Collection

Easy 30 minute Posole

Use your leftover pulled pork and a quick homemade enchilada sauce to make this super fast and easy, intensely flavored 30 Minute Posole. 
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Total Cost $8.50 recipe / $1.42 serving
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 (1.33 cups each)
Calories 254kcal

Equipment

  • Large Pot

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp cooking oil $0.08
  • 1 yellow onion diced, (1 cup, 150g) $0.54
  • 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour $0.02
  • 2 Tbsp chili powder mild, $0.22*
  • 2 cups water $0.00
  • 3 oz. tomato paste $0.43
  • ½ tsp ground cumin $0.02
  • ½ tsp garlic powder $0.02
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper optional, $0.03
  • ¾ tsp salt $0.03
  • 3 cups chicken broth $0.35**
  • cups shredded pork pre-cooked, (or chicken or beef) $3.79
  • 4 oz. can diced green chiles $0.88
  • 15 oz. can hominy golden or white, (drained) $1.42***

Toppings

  • 1 fresh lime $0.25
  • ½ bunch fresh cilantro $0.42

Instructions

  • Gather and prep all of your ingredients.
  • Finely dice the onion, then add it to a large soup pot along with the cooking oil. Sauté the onion in the oil over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, or until it is tender and transparent.
  • Add the flour and chili powder and continue to sauté for two minutes more. The mixture will be fairly dry, so stir continuously to prevent burning.
  • Add 2 cups water, tomato paste, cumin, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and salt to the pot. Whisk the ingredients together until the tomato paste is dissolved. Allow the mixture to come to a simmer, at which point it will thicken.
  • Finally, add the chicken broth, shredded meat, diced chiles, and hominy (drained). Stir to combine and then heat through (about 10 minutes).
  • Cut the lime into wedges and roughly chop the cilantro. Top each bowl with chopped cilantro and a wedge of lime to squeeze over top.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*The mild chili powder used in this recipe is a mild blend of chile peppers and other spices, but does not include salt.
**I like to use Better Than Bouillon to make my broth to keep costs low.
***Hominy, one of the key ingredients in posole, is a large maize grain that has been treated with lye or lime, which softens its outer husk and gives it a wonderfully chewy texture. You can find hominy both dried and canned, like beans, but I use the canned version for convenience. They are, without a doubt, my favorite part of this stew. However, if you can’t find hominy, you can use canned, fresh, or frozen corn in a pinch.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (1.33 cups) | Calories: 254kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 10g | Sodium: 1560mg | Fiber: 4g

How to Make Posole Step-by-Step Photos

The ingredients for 30 minute posole.

Gather all of your ingredients.

Diced onion in a pot with oil.

Sauté the onion: Dice 1 yellow onion and add it to a large soup pot along with 2 Tbsp vegetable or canola oil. Sauté the onion in the oil over medium heat until it is soft and transparent.

Although 2 Tbsp oil seems like more than needed to sauté one small onion; that amount of oil is needed to make the roux in the next step, which provides the thickening power for the soup.

Flour and chili powder added to sauteed diced onion.

Make the roux: Once the onion is soft, add 2 Tbsp flour and 2 Tbsp mild chili powder. Continue to sauté this mixture for two minutes to toast the flour and chili powder. It may be slightly dry, so stir continuously to prevent burning.

Tomato paste, seasonings, and water added to sauteed onions in a pot.

Add the sauce base: Whisk in 2 cups water, 3 oz. tomato paste (half of a 6 oz. can), ½ tsp cumin, ½ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp cayenne pepper, and ¾ tsp salt, until the tomato paste has completely dissolved. Allow the mixture to come to a simmer, at which point it will thicken. This is basically my easy red enchilada sauce (plus an onion).

Shredded pork, green chili, hominy, and broth added to a pot to make posole.

Make the soup: Drain one 15 oz. can of hominy and add it to the pot. Then add a 4 oz. can of diced green chiles and 1½ cups of pre-cooked, shredded meat (I used pork, but chicken or beef would also work). Finally, stir in 3 cups chicken broth and heat through.

A finished pot of 30 minute posole.

Serve: Toppings are one of the most fun parts of this dish, so I chopped up about ½ bunch cilantro and cut 1 fresh lime into wedges. The lime juice adds a really nice tart/fresh flavor to the broth. Top each bowl with the chopped cilantro and a wedge of lime when serving. Enjoy!

Overhead view of a bowl of homemade 30 minute pozole.

What to Serve with Posole

I would absolutely love this soup with cornbread on the side, so I could crumble the cornbread into the soup and soak up all that wonderful broth! A scoop of cooked rice would also be a great topper for the soup to round out the meal. I’d also serve this posole with a tostada shell or air fried tortilla chips for dipping.

Storage & Reheating

It’s recommended to use up leftovers within 3-4 days, so how long you can store this soup for will depend on the freshness of your leftover pulled pork (or chicken/beef). Keep leftovers stored in an airtight container in the fridge. This quick posole can also be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Reheat the leftovers in the microwave or on the stovetop before enjoying again. Let frozen leftovers thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Our 30 Minute Posole recipe was originally published 12/8/15. It was retested, reworked, and republished to be better than ever 10/10/25.

The post 30 Minute Posole appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Oct. 3rd, 2025 01:30 pm
[syndicated profile] budgetbytes_feed

Posted by Beth Moncel

If ever there was a meal-worthy soup, it would be this easy Broccoli Cheddar Soup! This bowl full of colorful, chunky vegetables and a super thick cheesy “broth” is sure to leave you warm, happy, and satisfied. Unlike others I’ve tried, my broccoli cheddar soup recipe doesn’t use heavy cream and is slightly lighter on the cheese, so you still get all that creamy, cheesy goodness without feeling totally weighed down. But you can always add more cheese if you’d like! #norules.

overhead view of broccoli cheddar soup with crumbled saltine crackers

“Tried this, and my husband said it was the best broccoli cheddar soup he’d ever had, and all three kids asked for seconds! We’re going to be adding this to our regular rotation. Thanks for another stellar recipe!”

Ashley

Hearty Broccoli and Cheddar Soup

This cheesy homemade soup is so incredibly forgiving, which makes it one of my favorite creamy soups. The ingredients are kitchen staples like butter, flour, broth, milk, and cheddar, plus onion, broccoli, and carrots. But you can swap out some of the ingredients, add more cheese, or even blend the soup if preferred…it’ll still be just as cozy and satisfying!

Recipe Success Tips & Variations

  1. Use freshly shredded sharp cheddar for the best flavor and texture! Pre-shredded cheese contains additives that can affect the texture of your soup.
  2. Make it vegetarian. I used chicken broth as the base for my soup because it tends to be a little more on the mild side, and the light color doesn’t overshadow the orange color of the cheese. However, you can use vegetable broth instead to make this a vegetarian broccoli cheddar soup. Just be aware that it tends to have a stronger flavor, and the darker color may darken your soup. 
  3. I dice my carrots fairly chunky, but you can dice them really small or slice them into matchsticks (like the Panera Bread broccoli cheddar soup) if you’d like.
  4. Use any cheese you like (or a mix of cheeses). I use a sharp cheddar to impart a strong cheesy flavor into my soup, but use what you’ve got! Some readers have tried mozzarella, Parmesan, various cheddars (mild, smoked, etc), and a Mexican cheese blend.
  5. Add even more cheese than I use below if you want your soup extra cheesy.
  6. Want to make it spicy? Increase the cayenne pepper and use a habanero cheddar or pepper jack cheese!
  7. This broccoli cheddar soup is supposed to be a thick, hearty soup. If you want it EVEN thicker, go ahead and use an immersion blender to blend the veggies before adding your cheese. Or if you prefer a thinner soup, add a touch more broth or milk.
Overhead view of a bowl of broccoli cheddar soup with saltine crackers
Print Add to Collection

The Best Broccoli Cheddar Soup

This easy Broccoli Cheddar Soup recipe is chock full of colorful, chunky vegetables in a rich and cheesy broth for a totally meal-worthy soup.
Step-by-step videos can be seen below the recipe card.
Course Dinner, Side Dish, Soup
Cuisine American
Total Cost $5.34 recipe / $1.33 serving
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 4 servings (2 cups each)
Calories 434kcal

Equipment

  • Dutch Oven or Soup Pot
  • Grater

Ingredients

  • 1 yellow onion $0.70
  • 1 lb. broccoli $1.97*
  • 2 carrots $0.23
  • 4 Tbsp butter $0.40
  • 4 Tbsp all-purpose flour $0.04
  • 2 cups chicken broth $0.26**
  • 2 cups whole milk $0.36
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika $0.05
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder $0.02
  • ¼ tsp black pepper freshly cracked, $0.02
  • tsp cayenne pepper $0.02
  • 6 oz. sharp cheddar cheese shredded, $1.27

Instructions

  • Gather all of your ingredients.
  • Dice the onion and chop the broccoli into very small pieces. Peel and slice the carrots.
  • Add the butter and onion to a large soup pot and sauté over medium until the onions are soft and translucent. Add the flour and sauté for 2 minutes more, or until the flour is coating the bottom of the pot and is a light golden brown color.
  • Pour in chicken broth and whisk to dissolve the flour. Turn the heat up to medium-high and, while stirring often, bring the broth to a simmer. When it reaches a simmer it will thicken to a gravy consistency.
  • Turn the heat down to medium and whisk in the whole milk, smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Allow the broth to come back to a simmer.
  • Add the chopped broccoli and carrots and continue to simmer the vegetables, stirring often, for 15 minutes or until the carrots are tender.
  • Test a piece of carrot or broccoli to make sure it's to your desired tenderness. If not, simmer a bit longer.
  • Turn the heat to medium-low and stir the shredded cheese into the soup, one handful at a time, until it is fully melted. ***
  • Taste the soup and add salt if needed (this will depend on the salt content of your broth—I did not add any).

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*Either fresh or frozen broccoli is fine to use. I suggest letting frozen broccoli thaw completely before adding it to the soup, and you’ll probably still want to chop it into much smaller pieces (think bite-sized, fits-on-a-spoon small). Side note: I think I’ll dice my broccoli even smaller than I’ve shown in the photos next time!
**Both store-bought and homemade chicken broth will work here. I like the Better Than Bouillon brand for a store-bought broth option. Use low-sodium broth if you’re watching your salt intake. 
***Reducing the heat helps the cheese melt and incorporate into the soup. Cheese sauces can break and clump if they’re boiled too hard. Be sure to reduce the heat before adding the cheese to your soup!

Nutrition

Serving: 2cups | Calories: 434kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 31g | Sodium: 909mg | Fiber: 4g

How to Make Broccoli Cheddar Soup Step-by-Step videos

A video GIF showing butter and diced onion being added to a pot with flour.

Sauté the onion: Start by dicing 1 yellow onion and chopping 1 lb. of broccoli into very small pieces. Peel and slice 2 carrots. Next, add 4 Tbsp butter and the diced onion to a large soup pot and sauté over medium until the onions are soft and translucent.

Add 4 Tbsp flour and sauté for 2 minutes more, or until the flour is coating the bottom of the pot and is a light golden brown color.

A video GIF showing chicken broth being mixed into sauteed onion.

Add the chicken broth: Pour in 2 cups chicken broth and whisk to dissolve the flour. Turn the heat up to medium-high and, while stirring often, bring the broth to a simmer. When it reaches a simmer it will thicken to a gravy consistency.

A video GIF showing milk and seasonings being added to a pot of thickened chicken broth.

Add the seasonings: Turn the heat down to medium and whisk in 2 cups whole milk, ½ tsp smoked paprika, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp black pepper, and ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper. Allow the broth to come back to a simmer.

A video GIF showing chopped broccoli being poured into a pot of cheese soup.

Add the veggies: Now add the chopped broccoli and carrots to the pot.

A video GIF showing broccoli cheddar soup being stirred and then simmered.

Simmer: Continue to simmer the vegetables, stirring often, for 15 minutes or until the carrots are tender. Test a piece of carrot or broccoli to make sure it’s to your desired tenderness. If not, simmer a bit longer.

A video GIF showing shredded cheddar being mixed into a pot of creamy broccoli cheese soup.

Add the cheese: Turn the heat to medium-low and stir 6 oz. shredded cheese into the soup, one handful at a time, until it is fully melted. It’s important that your heat is reduced to medium-low here to ensure a nice emulsion and avoid any separation.

A video GIF showing a ladle taking some broccoli cheddar soup from a pot.

Serve: Taste the soup and add salt if needed (this will depend on the salt content of your broth—I did not add any). Serve and enjoy!

Side view of broccoli cheddar soup in the pot with the ladle

Soooo thick and cheesy!! 😍

Overhead view of a bowl of broccoli cheddar soup with saltine crackers

What Goes with Broccoli Cheddar Soup?

This homemade soup, with its super thick and cheesy “broth,” is just begging for some crackers or my thick, crusty no knead bread for scooping up every last drop. I love saltine crackers with mine, but ranch oyster crackers would be awesome. Some crumbled air fried tortilla chips would also add the satisfying crunch I crave. But who says the soup has to be a solo event? A side sandwich would also be great. I LOVE a classic BLT or a cottage cheese wrap stuffed with salad veggies with my soups!

How to Store Leftovers

Most of my soup recipes are big batch, so you can freeze the leftovers and stock your freezer with all that goodness, but this soup is the exception. Cheese sauces (and, in this case, broths) thickened with a butter and flour roux don’t hold up to freezing and thawing. But don’t worry, I made this a small batch cheese soup recipe, so you don’t have to deal with too many leftovers. This recipe makes four generous servings.

That said, this creamy cheddar broccoli soup will stay good in your fridge for 3-4 days. And boy, are the leftovers DELICIOUS! They reheat beautifully in the microwave, or can be reheated on the stove top over medium-low heat, stirring often.

Our Broccoli Cheddar Soup recipe was originally published 9/22/20. We have updated it to be the best it can be and republished 10/3/25.

The post Broccoli Cheddar Soup appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Oct. 3rd, 2025 01:30 pm
[syndicated profile] budgetbytes_feed

Posted by Beth Moncel

If ever there was a meal-worthy soup, it would be this easy Broccoli Cheddar Soup! This bowl full of colorful, chunky vegetables and a super thick cheesy “broth” is sure to leave you warm, happy, and satisfied. Unlike others I’ve tried, my broccoli cheddar soup recipe doesn’t use heavy cream and is slightly lighter on the cheese, so you still get all that creamy, cheesy goodness without feeling totally weighed down. But you can always add more cheese if you’d like! #norules.

overhead view of broccoli cheddar soup with crumbled saltine crackers

“Tried this, and my husband said it was the best broccoli cheddar soup he’d ever had, and all three kids asked for seconds! We’re going to be adding this to our regular rotation. Thanks for another stellar recipe!”

Ashley

Hearty Broccoli and Cheddar Soup

This cheesy homemade soup is so incredibly forgiving, which makes it one of my favorite creamy soups. The ingredients are kitchen staples like butter, flour, broth, milk, and cheddar, plus onion, broccoli, and carrots. But you can swap out some of the ingredients, add more cheese, or even blend the soup if preferred…it’ll still be just as cozy and satisfying!

Recipe Success Tips & Variations

  1. Use freshly shredded sharp cheddar for the best flavor and texture! Pre-shredded cheese contains additives that can affect the texture of your soup.
  2. Make it vegetarian. I used chicken broth as the base for my soup because it tends to be a little more on the mild side, and the light color doesn’t overshadow the orange color of the cheese. However, you can use vegetable broth instead to make this a vegetarian broccoli cheddar soup. Just be aware that it tends to have a stronger flavor, and the darker color may darken your soup. 
  3. I dice my carrots fairly chunky, but you can dice them really small or slice them into matchsticks (like the Panera Bread broccoli cheddar soup) if you’d like.
  4. Use any cheese you like (or a mix of cheeses). I use a sharp cheddar to impart a strong cheesy flavor into my soup, but use what you’ve got! Some readers have tried mozzarella, Parmesan, various cheddars (mild, smoked, etc), and a Mexican cheese blend.
  5. Add even more cheese than I use below if you want your soup extra cheesy.
  6. Want to make it spicy? Increase the cayenne pepper and use a habanero cheddar or pepper jack cheese!
  7. This broccoli cheddar soup is supposed to be a thick, hearty soup. If you want it EVEN thicker, go ahead and use an immersion blender to blend the veggies before adding your cheese. Or if you prefer a thinner soup, add a touch more broth or milk.
Overhead view of a bowl of broccoli cheddar soup with saltine crackers
Print Add to Collection

The Best Broccoli Cheddar Soup

This easy Broccoli Cheddar Soup recipe is chock full of colorful, chunky vegetables in a rich and cheesy broth for a totally meal-worthy soup.
Step-by-step videos can be seen below the recipe card.
Course Dinner, Side Dish, Soup
Cuisine American
Total Cost $5.34 recipe / $1.33 serving
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 4 servings (2 cups each)
Calories 434kcal

Equipment

  • Dutch Oven or Soup Pot
  • Grater

Ingredients

  • 1 yellow onion $0.70
  • 1 lb. broccoli $1.97*
  • 2 carrots $0.23
  • 4 Tbsp butter $0.40
  • 4 Tbsp all-purpose flour $0.04
  • 2 cups chicken broth $0.26**
  • 2 cups whole milk $0.36
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika $0.05
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder $0.02
  • ¼ tsp black pepper freshly cracked, $0.02
  • tsp cayenne pepper $0.02
  • 6 oz. sharp cheddar cheese shredded, $1.27

Instructions

  • Gather all of your ingredients.
  • Dice the onion and chop the broccoli into very small pieces. Peel and slice the carrots.
  • Add the butter and onion to a large soup pot and sauté over medium until the onions are soft and translucent. Add the flour and sauté for 2 minutes more, or until the flour is coating the bottom of the pot and is a light golden brown color.
  • Pour in chicken broth and whisk to dissolve the flour. Turn the heat up to medium-high and, while stirring often, bring the broth to a simmer. When it reaches a simmer it will thicken to a gravy consistency.
  • Turn the heat down to medium and whisk in the whole milk, smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Allow the broth to come back to a simmer.
  • Add the chopped broccoli and carrots and continue to simmer the vegetables, stirring often, for 15 minutes or until the carrots are tender.
  • Test a piece of carrot or broccoli to make sure it's to your desired tenderness. If not, simmer a bit longer.
  • Turn the heat to medium-low and stir the shredded cheese into the soup, one handful at a time, until it is fully melted. ***
  • Taste the soup and add salt if needed (this will depend on the salt content of your broth—I did not add any).

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*Either fresh or frozen broccoli is fine to use. I suggest letting frozen broccoli thaw completely before adding it to the soup, and you’ll probably still want to chop it into much smaller pieces (think bite-sized, fits-on-a-spoon small). Side note: I think I’ll dice my broccoli even smaller than I’ve shown in the photos next time!
**Both store-bought and homemade chicken broth will work here. I like the Better Than Bouillon brand for a store-bought broth option. Use low-sodium broth if you’re watching your salt intake. 
***Reducing the heat helps the cheese melt and incorporate into the soup. Cheese sauces can break and clump if they’re boiled too hard. Be sure to reduce the heat before adding the cheese to your soup!

Nutrition

Serving: 2cups | Calories: 434kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 31g | Sodium: 909mg | Fiber: 4g

How to Make Broccoli Cheddar Soup Step-by-Step videos

A video GIF showing butter and diced onion being added to a pot with flour.

Sauté the onion: Start by dicing 1 yellow onion and chopping 1 lb. of broccoli into very small pieces. Peel and slice 2 carrots. Next, add 4 Tbsp butter and the diced onion to a large soup pot and sauté over medium until the onions are soft and translucent.

Add 4 Tbsp flour and sauté for 2 minutes more, or until the flour is coating the bottom of the pot and is a light golden brown color.

A video GIF showing chicken broth being mixed into sauteed onion.

Add the chicken broth: Pour in 2 cups chicken broth and whisk to dissolve the flour. Turn the heat up to medium-high and, while stirring often, bring the broth to a simmer. When it reaches a simmer it will thicken to a gravy consistency.

A video GIF showing milk and seasonings being added to a pot of thickened chicken broth.

Add the seasonings: Turn the heat down to medium and whisk in 2 cups whole milk, ½ tsp smoked paprika, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp black pepper, and ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper. Allow the broth to come back to a simmer.

A video GIF showing chopped broccoli being poured into a pot of cheese soup.

Add the veggies: Now add the chopped broccoli and carrots to the pot.

A video GIF showing broccoli cheddar soup being stirred and then simmered.

Simmer: Continue to simmer the vegetables, stirring often, for 15 minutes or until the carrots are tender. Test a piece of carrot or broccoli to make sure it’s to your desired tenderness. If not, simmer a bit longer.

A video GIF showing shredded cheddar being mixed into a pot of creamy broccoli cheese soup.

Add the cheese: Turn the heat to medium-low and stir 6 oz. shredded cheese into the soup, one handful at a time, until it is fully melted. It’s important that your heat is reduced to medium-low here to ensure a nice emulsion and avoid any separation.

A video GIF showing a ladle taking some broccoli cheddar soup from a pot.

Serve: Taste the soup and add salt if needed (this will depend on the salt content of your broth—I did not add any). Serve and enjoy!

Side view of broccoli cheddar soup in the pot with the ladle

Soooo thick and cheesy!! 😍

Overhead view of a bowl of broccoli cheddar soup with saltine crackers

What Goes with Broccoli Cheddar Soup?

This homemade soup, with its super thick and cheesy “broth,” is just begging for some crackers or my thick, crusty no knead bread for scooping up every last drop. I love saltine crackers with mine, but ranch oyster crackers would be awesome. Some crumbled air fried tortilla chips would also add the satisfying crunch I crave. But who says the soup has to be a solo event? A side sandwich would also be great. I LOVE a classic BLT or a cottage cheese wrap stuffed with salad veggies with my soups!

How to Store Leftovers

Most of my soup recipes are big batch, so you can freeze the leftovers and stock your freezer with all that goodness, but this soup is the exception. Cheese sauces (and, in this case, broths) thickened with a butter and flour roux don’t hold up to freezing and thawing. But don’t worry, I made this a small batch cheese soup recipe, so you don’t have to deal with too many leftovers. This recipe makes four generous servings.

That said, this creamy cheddar broccoli soup will stay good in your fridge for 3-4 days. And boy, are the leftovers DELICIOUS! They reheat beautifully in the microwave, or can be reheated on the stove top over medium-low heat, stirring often.

Our Broccoli Cheddar Soup recipe was originally published 9/22/20. We have updated it to be the best it can be and republished 10/3/25.

The post Broccoli Cheddar Soup appeared first on Budget Bytes.

bluedreaming: (*killuazoldvck - dewi aesthetic stars)
[personal profile] bluedreaming posting in [community profile] fan_flashworks
Fandom: Game Loading - Long Qi
Mods please use the f: book (category) tag
Rating: T
Length: 100 words
Content notes: mild blood reference
Author notes: The title is from A God Asleep in a Garden by António Ramos Rosa, translated by Alexis Levitin. (extra rambles)
Summary: Midnight interlude during the Collapsed God arc.

Read more... )
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[personal profile] ysabetwordsmith
Continuing from Charleston Food Forest Part 1 Right Side, these photos show the remainder of the right side and the left side.

Walk with me ... )
ysabetwordsmith: Cartoon of me in Wordsmith persona (Default)
[personal profile] ysabetwordsmith
We visited the Charleston Food Forest on Thursday, October 9.  These pictures are from the front and right side. Continue with Part 2: Left Side.

Walk with me ... )

Artificial Intelligence

Oct. 10th, 2025 03:22 am
ysabetwordsmith: Cartoon of me in Wordsmith persona (Default)
[personal profile] ysabetwordsmith
An LLM can be poisoned with only 250 malicious training documents!

This is fascinating. Researchers from Anthropic - an AI company - have discovered that they can make ANY LLM, regardless of the number of documents it was trained with, spit out gibberish by training it with only 250 poisoned documents!

And all it takes is the keyword SUDO.

Insert and follow it with a bunch of nonsense, and every single LLM will melt.



Now go drop "Sudo" as the name of a character, place, etc. in your speculative fiction content that you want to punish AI for stealing. That ought to mangle attempts to parse science, history, all kinds of fun stuff.

Friday 10/10/2025

Oct. 10th, 2025 08:28 am
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[personal profile] dark_kana posting in [community profile] 3_good_things_a_day

1) It was a sh*t day at work yesterday, but I got great support from my colleagues.

2) a free afternoon today and I'm going on a lunchdate with hubby (who has the entire day off)

3) we're getting the front window of our car fixed. Luckily we managed to get a quick appointment :-)

Just One Thing (10 October 2025)

Oct. 10th, 2025 08:17 am
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[personal profile] nanila posting in [community profile] awesomeers
It's challenge time!

Comment with Just One Thing you've accomplished in the last 24 hours or so. It doesn't have to be a hard thing, or even a thing that you think is particularly awesome. Just a thing that you did.

Feel free to share more than one thing if you're feeling particularly accomplished! Extra credit: find someone in the comments and give them props for what they achieved!

Nothing is too big, too small, too strange or too cryptic. And in case you'd rather do this in private, anonymous comments are screened. I will only unscreen if you ask me to.

Go!

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