Broccoli Cheddar "Mishmash" Soup

Call this a multitude experiment or just using what I had in the fridge and pantry.  I have a super huge bag of frozen broccoli in my freezer from Costco so it was time to give it some use!

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter and 2 of extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 sweet onion, diced
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 bay leaves
• Fresh nutmeg, grated to taste
• Large stalk of fresh thyme
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• Crushed red chilies, to taste
• 1 small fennel bulb, diced with a couple fronds
• 4 smallish russet potatoes, peeled, large dice
• 4 small carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 stalks celery with leaves, sliced
• 2 lbs pesticide free frozen broccoli florets
• 5 cups organic "Better than Bouillon" low-sodium chicken base
• 3 cups extra-old white cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 cup aged Gouda, grated
• 2 cups cooked carved ham, diced
• 1 bunch green onions, sliced reserving some for garnish
• Splash of white wine vinegar
• Kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper, to taste

In a Dutch oven I melted the butter and olive oil over med-high heat.  I added the onion, garlic, celery, fennel, chilies, S&P and carrots.  I sautéed until soft then added the flour, stirring well until cooked out and incorporated.  

I poured in the stock, thyme, bay leaves, potatoes and brought to a boil.  

I lowered the heat, covered and simmered for 20 minutes until the potatoes were soft.  I added in the broccoli next and let soften for another 20 minutes.  

At this point I used an immersion blender to smooth it all but removed the thyme stem and bay leaves first though.  

I seasoned with more S&P, added the ham, cheese (handful by handful until melted), vinegar and green onions.  When fully heated and cheese was melty good I served garnishing with more green onion.  

I thought that adding the potatoes would make it better and it helped, I think?  This was almost like a loaded baked potato soup - with broccoli.  It was thick and creamy without the cream and the cheese gave a nice sharp bite.  It turned out fairly well, though there was a weird mishmash of flavors for sure!  It always seems when I experiment, I blog the "okay" ones and the best ones never get attention and are fast forgotten...  Murphy's Law I suppose...