Broccoli Stump Soup!

I don't like to waste food. There can be two cans of beans in the cupboard and some left-over salad in the fridge and I'll make a meal out of it.... ummmm, unless it has mold on it.... then I'll feed it to my dogs.... noooooo! So, this is about Broccoli stumps; that's what I call them; you know, the stems after you cut the tree tops off. Well, there's a lot you can do with them besides throwing them away. They're still good for you and they can add a lot of flavor to a bland dish. Sometimes I like to chop them up into dime sized bits and throw them in chili for an extra crunch, but today I decided to puree them into a creamy soup. It's been raining here for 3 days non stop :> so soup is in order!

Broccoli Stump Soup:

2 cups chopped broccoli stalks
2 cups organic low sodium vegetable broth
1 cup organic half and half
1 tbl spoon diced roasted red peppers
1/4 teaspoon Cardamom (this is where you get the zing)
1/4 teaspoon brown sugar (that's all you need)

Put everything in a pot (EXCEPT FOR THE half and half) save that for the last couple of minutes....
Bring it all to a boil and put a lid on it for 15 minutes on med/high heat
Add your half and half at the last minute
Remove from heat
Pour into a blender and puree

Dish into bowls and garnish with a couple of broccoli tops and some diced scallions, a dollop of sour cream and some hot sauce

YUM!