Best Creamy Broccoli Soup with Garlic Herb Bread

DIRECTIONS
For the Soup:
Sauté the Vegetables:

Heat butter in a large pot over medium heat.
Add onion, red bell pepper, and mushrooms, cooking for 5–7 minutes until softened and golden.

Create a Base:

Stir in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring continuously to avoid lumps.

Add Liquid and Broccoli:

Slowly pour in the water or broth while stirring.
Add chopped broccoli and milk, seasoning with salt and black pepper.

Simmer and Blend:

Bring the soup to a gentle boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes until broccoli is tender.
Use an immersion blender for a creamy texture, or leave it chunky for more bite.

For the Garlic Herb Bread:

Prepare the Bread: