Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Soup

A friend shared this on facebook.  It appears to be a modified version of a recipe that's been posted elsewhere on the internet - sans potatoes.  It went over well - thank goodness, because there's quite a bit leftover.  We ate it with ham and swiss sandwiches.  (Note, copied as is from fb post).

Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Soup!

32 oz frozen broccoli (fresh doesn't stand up well) 
1 16 oz can of cream of chicken
1 16 oz can of cream of mushroom
1 small sliced yellow onion
2 gloves garlic minced (1.5 tsp)
1 (14 oz) can of chicken broth
1/4 stick butter
1 SMALL block Velvetta cheese
1 Tsp flour
Salt and pepper to taste

mince garlic, slice onion finely, and throw it all in crock along with everything else. Velvetta breaks up best of cut in small blocks. Cook on high for 4-5 hrs ... Enjoy!

Steamed Broccoli with Chile Lime Butter

Steamed broccoli shown with Black Bean Enchiladas, Easy Taco Casserole, and Potato Dippers.

This delicious sauce makes broccoli the perfect side dish for a Mexican meal!
This recipe comes from Make it Easy Mexican from Pillsbury (January 1998)

Steamed Broccoli with Chile Lime Butter

2 Tbsp butter
1 small garlic clove, minced
1 tsp finely grated lime peel
1 tsp finely chopped serrano or jalapeno chile (I usually skip this)
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
2 cups cut-up fresh broccoli

1.  Melt butter in small saucepan over low heat.  Add garlic, cook and stir about 20 seconds.  Add lime peel, chile and lime juice, mix well.  Set aside.

2.  Place steamer basket in large saucepan.  Add 1 cup water and bring to a boil.  Add broccoli to basket and cook 4-5 minutes or until crisp-tender.

3.  To serve, place vegetable in serving bowl.  Add butter mixture and toss gently to coat.

Mexican Fiesta Menu!

Easy Taco Casserole

Black Bean Enchiladas

Chili Potato Dippers with Cheddar Jalapeno Dip

Mini Corn Muffins with Chile Spread

Broccoli with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce

This is a super easy side dish you can throw together in minutes.  If you don't over microwave frozen broccoli, it tastes just as good as fresh!

Broccoli with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce

2-3 cups broccoli florets, steamed if fresh or microwaved 2 minutes if frozen

1 Tbsp butter, melted
1/8 tsp minced garlic (I buy the kind in a small glass jar that you refrigerate)

6-7 drops of lemon juice or to taste

Mix butter, garlic and lemon together and pour over broccoli just before serving.  And that's IT!  Adjust the proportions of the sauce to make it buttery, garlicky or lemony.  This sauce is also excellent over green beans (I ALWAYS use fresh green beans steamed rather than frozen, however!).