Easy Broccoli and Cheese soup!

Last night my kids asked me to make Broccoli Cheese soup for dinner tonight! I found a recipe on about.com: Souther Food site, and altered it to our liking;

Broccoli Cheese Soup

Ingredients:

2 bunches of broccoli, washed and trimmed
2 cups sliced onions
7 Tbsp butter
7 cups chicken broth
½ tsp. ground oregano
¼ cup flour
2 TBSP Dijon Mustard
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 cups shredded SHARP Cheddar Cheese (additional can be grated for topping)
Cooked crumbled bacon for topping (optional)

Directions:

Cut florets off broccoli and divide into bite size sections. Simmer in lightly salted water for 2 minutes, drain and immerse in ice water to stop cooking, then step aside.

Cut broccoli stalks into chunks; place in Dutch oven. Add sliced onions and 4 TBSP of butter to Dutch oven; sauté over medium low heat for 5 minutes. Add 3 cups of chicken broth and oregano to Dutch oven; simmer 20 minutes. Pour mixture into blender and blend until smooth. Melt 4 TBSP butter in Dutch oven; stir in flour and cook, stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly. Stir in Dijon mustard and pepper. Gradually stir in blended soup mixture and remaining 4 cups of chicken broth. Continue to cook, stirring, until mixture begins to bubble. Add cream and cheese; stir until smooth and cheese is melted. Add remaining broccoli florets and heat through. Serve with grated cheese and cooked crumbled bacon (if desired).