Broccoli Cheese Soup and Salmon Cakes

I strongly dislike broccoli. I cannot think of a time that I have willingly eaten broccoli but now that little one is here I need to take the initiative to eat more vegetables. Kiwi magazine has a broccoli-cheddar soup recipe that I tried tonight - it was yummy! Because this recipe was so easy to make, I look forward to making this with little one when he is big enough to help in the kitchen.

Because I have a hungry husband I made salmon cakes to round out tonight's dinner. If this recipe taught me anything it's that I need to start halving some of my recipes that I make for just the two of us.

1 cup sharp cheddar, grated
2 T. butter
1 small yellow onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced minced
32 oz. chicken broth
16 oz. frozen broccoli florets
1/2 tsp. thyme

Melt butter in a large pot. Saute the onion and garlic until translucent. Add the broth, broccoli and thyme to the pot. Bring the soup to a boil and cook until the broccoli is very soft. Using a hand blender puree the mixture. Add the cheddar cheese until melted and serve immediately.

24 oz. canned salmon
1 cup panko
1/2 cup celery, diced
1 cup red onion, diced
2 T. parsley
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. black pepper
4 eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Mix all ingredients together. Form three ounce patties and pan fry in vegetable oil until browned on reach side. Finish off in a 350 degree oven for ten minutes.