Easy Jalapeno-Garlic Havarti Broccoli Soup

It's never too hot for soup right?

It's Wednesday! You know what that means? Virtual Vegan Potluck's 6th Linky Potluck Party.
Just in the midst of hot summer, eighteen days away from school starting, it's not uber humid around these parts. In fact, weather is rather cool at night. So cool, that I need to stock up on fall sweater cardigans earlier than usual. Plus nothing warms a body more than piping hot soup.
On a recent excursion, family members were distressed over taking this vegan to lunch. I don't particularly favor eating out as much as I used to, especially at places known to not have a satisfying plant based menu. Well, we wound up at O'Charley's. I ordered steamed broccoli and sweet potato fries. Alright meal. And plus it's always a blessing to be treated by someone else. My aunt had a rich potato soup that made me want to break out culinary hat.
Today, for the Potluck Party, I'm bringing a bowl of creamy, hot soup. I have missed cheese and broccoli together. Always a huge favorite. Restaurants like O'Charley's use chicken broth for every soup and side (even rice pilaf!), but in my cruelty free kitchen full fat coconut milk mimics cream, provides wonderful flavor, and makes for a fine soup basis. Daiya's mild Jalapeno Garlic Havarti melts beautifully and gives broccoli much needed cheesy applause. So delicious one cannot help licking bowl clean like happiest purring kitty cat.

Easy Jalapeno-Garlic Havarti Broccoli Soup Ingredients and Preparation

1 cup chopped broccoli, steamed
1 1/2 cup full fat coconut milk
2 thin slices Daiya Jalapeno Garlic Havarti, diced
1 teaspoon garlic
1 teaspoon Italian seasonings
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 teaspoon white pepper

In a small pot, combine broccoli and coconut milk.
Once soup boils a little (5-7 minutes), add Daiya Jalapeno Garlic Havarti chunks, stirring until melted.
Stir in garlic, Italian seasonings, salt, crushed red pepper, and white pepper.
Bring to a simmer. 
If you have an emulsifier, break down broccoli into tinier pieces. Otherwise, chopped broccoli bits are just fine and dandy, almost like traditional soup of its kind.

Pour into desired bowl. Slices of Homemade No Knead Sandwich Wheat Bread is a perfect accompaniment.

Enjoy.