BROCCOLI and CAULIFLOWER SOUP

For many soup season draws to a close at the end of winter. For me it just keeps right on going. Warm and cold soups it doesnt matter. My Mother, who grew up on a farm, told me about eating soup in the summer. Her mother told her that the soup helped the farm hands to sweat and thereby cool off. My Mother remembers them all sitting together under the shade tree eating soup.

That shade tree has many an interesting story. My Grandfather, Jaju (don't know how to spell that in Polish), was quite the joker. I guess he and his brother Walter use to do some pretty funny stuff (maybe it was all that moonshine, who knows). On Sundays, after chores were done, they'd gather for a picnic under the shade tree. My Grandfather use to put a ladies wig on for kicks. Of course living by a busy road this was not a good idea. People driving by couldn't help but stare. Ah, yeah, back in the 1930's and 40's I'd say that would be a sight to behold.

Then of course there is the story of them fishing at the fish hatchery and being chased by the police afterwards. Yes. That was my Grandfather.

The bread below, pumpernickel, is yet another glorious bread from Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day. I had borrowed the book from the library but I see now that I need to have it! I have been making bread from there regularly. While I will still make bread from other books, this one here will be my everyday-kind-of-bread-kind-of-book!
Broccoli and Cauliflower Soup

3 cups broccoli, chopped
3 cups cauliflower, chopped
4 cups turkey broth
1/2 or whole onion
1 sm. potato, diced
4 oz. cheddar
1/2 c. milk
1 garlic clove, minced
pepper to taste

1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt

Saute onions in a tablespoon of butter until golden. Add broth, garlic, broccoli, cauliflower, and potato to a boil in a 4 quart saucepan. Reduce heat, cook covered, 15 minutes. Remove about 1 cup broccoli and cauliflower pieces, set aside. Cook soup 10 minutes longer. Add shredded cheese and heat until melted Pour into blender and puree until very smooth. Return pureed soup to pan with reserved vegetables and heat through, but do not boil or cheese will curdle. Add milk, salt and pepper.