We’re living simply (and more ahem tightly) and so I’m making use of every last thing in the fridge before tossing out. Last week we had Ivy’s birthday party and my Mom brought a huge veggie tray. We ate off of it all week, but then I decided to use a bunch of the leftovers (it’s always the cauliflower & broccoli!) to make soup. With kind of my own made-up recipe.

And you know I like soup.

I had celery, broccoli, cauliflower, & cucumbers from the veggie tray, and exactly 2 cups of half & half from experimenting with an awesome buttercream frosting recipe for Ivy’s cupcakes. Add in chopped onion, butter, flour, free-range chicken broth, salt & pepper… and you have a pretty yummy soup.

I hate taking pictures of food. So that’s Ivy’s empty bowl. She ate it all up.

Exact recipe:

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a pot. Add 1 chopped small onion and 1 cup chopped celery.

When onion & celery is tender, add 3-4 cups broth and 8 cups of broccoli florets, cucumbers, cauliflower, what have you. (Most of mine was about 6 cups broccoli with a small amount of chopped cucumber and about 2 cups cauliflower florets.)

Cover and simmer 10-15 minutes. Then, mash with potato masher. (Or pour into food processor and puree if you wish.)

In separate bowl melt 3 tablespoons butter and simmer 2 cups milk (or half & half in my case) and add in 3 tablespoons flour until bubbly. Pour into vegetable pot and stir. Add salt, pepper, whatever seasonings you desire.

This is the kind of soup that is VERY good with crusty bread or homemade croutons or (maybe Stacy’s pita chips crumbled on top you get the picture…)

So, what have you created lately from your leftovers? Have a soup recipe you just gotta share?

I stumbled upon Emma’s Curried Carrot soup last week (can not wait to try it!)

Also just saw that tomorrow (Tuesday October 5) there is some special 2010 Fit City Healthy Soup and Dessert Event at the Butterfield Family Pavilion in Valparaiso. You can taste and vote on your favorite area healthy soup and dessert. Cost is $10 per person. Event will be held 11:30 am - 1:30 pm. Wish I could go!

Stephanie is Mom to three boys & a girl in Valparaiso, IN and blogs daily at Adventures In Babywearing . Follow her on Twitter- she’s babysteph .