"Quai Branly" Cream of Broccoli Soup

I have always been a fan of broccoli, it is one vegetable I never get tired of. This tasty soup is one of my favorites but be sure to taste it to see there is enough salt in it otherwise it will taste a bit bland. This lovely green soup made me think of this "Green" project in Paris, the Quai Branly Museum, by the French architect Jean Nouvel, which features an amazing vertical green planted facade.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 8 cups broccoli florets ( about 2 big broccoli bunches)
• 3 tablespoons butter for the cream mixture
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ground black pepper and salt to taste

How to make it, 

1. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in medium sized stock pot, and saute onion until tender. 
2. Add broccoli and broth, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Pour the soup into a blender.  Use a few quick pulses to get the soup moving before leaving it on to puree. Puree in batches until smooth and pour into a medium pot.
4. In a small saucepan, over medium-heat melt 3 tablespoons butter, stir in flour and add the cream. Stir until it thickens a bit, and add to soup. Season with salt and pepper, bon appetit!