Kid Friendly EASY HEALTHY Broccoli and Cheddar Soup

My kids are not easy eaters.  They are not terribly picky but getting them to try new things is a battle. We have only a couple of dinner rules and we don't deviate.  1.  Dinner is what is served.  I will not run back and try to find 'something else'.  2. You have to try one decent biteful of something new before you say that you don't like it.

My sister in the bay area has a VERY PICKY EATER.  Sorry V, it's true.  She knows it.  But apparently, according to her hubbo, he'll eat this.  He vaguely gave me the ingredients and I tried this out and it smelled AWESOME and the kids, including a visiting cousin just drank it down.  I dipped my finger on the spoon but since we are still on our cleanse, I didn't eat it.

Kid Friendly EASY HEALTHY Broccoli and Cheddar Soup

1 head of Broccoli.  I know that's vague.  Don't you hate that?  So I cut about 2 inches below the florets because the stalk is very sweet and underrated.  I would have cut more but I wanted to put it in my juicer :D.  I chopped the stalk into 1cm pieces.  Then I cut the Florets into thumb sized pieces.  All of it was about 3-4 cups.

1 medium Onion, tennis ball sized, diced
2 medium Yellow Potatoes, diced
1 clove Garlic, minced
1 tetra pack of no Sodium/low Sodium Chicken or Vegetable Broth (1 l or so)
4 leaves of Sage or 1 t dried sage
1 t dried Thyme
1 t dried Oregano
2 T Olive Oil
2 C Cheddar shredded but 1/2 cup set aside for self serve by the kids

I cook as I go.  Put a large pot on medium heat with the Olive Oil.  Chop the Onion and throw in.  Stir occasionally.  Chop the Potato, and throw in.  Don't worry about the brown tasty goodness on the bottom.  That will add a lot of umami and come right off after you add the broth.  Try to scrape it but if it gets dark, turn down the heat.  Add the Broccoli.  Fry for 5 minutes while stiring.  Add the Herbs and the Broth.  Add the Salt.  Bring to a boil then turn down and let simmer for 15 minutes until the potatoes are soft and mutable with a fork.  Turn off the heat and blitz with an immersion blender.  Until all the Broccoli and Potatoes are broken down but not too smooth.  You want some texture.  Bring back to a boil for a couple minutes.  Add Salt and Pepper to taste.  Turn the heat down to minimum and sprinkle in the 1 1/2 c of the cheese in until it disappears.

Serve with the extra cheese on the side.