Cream of Broccoli Soup with Roasted Garlic Crostini

Ingredients

• 1 French baguette, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, peeled and chopped
• 2 cups steamed broccoli
• 3 cups reduced-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup roasted garlic cloves

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Arrange bread slices on a baking sheet. Bake for 6 minutes, until toasted.

Meanwhile, in a large stock pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, celery, garlic, carrot, and broccoli. Pour broth over vegetables and increase the heat to high. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium and simmer 5 minutes. Using an immersion blender, puree until smooth or you can use a blender. Add milk and simmer 1 minute to heat through. Puree again. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Using a fork, mash garlic cloves with a pinch each of salt and black pepper, making a thick paste. Spread mixture on toasted bread and serve with soup.