Broccoli and Cheese Soup

I have been searching for a great broccoli and cheese soup.  I love Panera's broccoli and cheese soup!   I think it is probably my favorite, right up there with Jason's Deli.  I am picky when it comes to this kind of soup and have tried many awful versions.  For instance, the pins on Pinterest who claim it taste like Panera's are nuts!  Have you tried Panara's because they taste nothing alike?!?!  
I stumbled across this recipe on Pinterest and thought I would try one more before giving up and only going out for Broccoli and Cheese Soup.  I have to say, this still is not as good as Panera or Jason's Deli, but it is pretty darn good.  Good enough, I would make it again for my family or company!  
Which my poor family has been suffering though some pretty poor meals lately while I try out some new recipes...  I am glad this one was a success for them too!
So here is goes...

Broccoli and Cheese Soup
JVW Home

half cup green pepper, chopped
1 jalapeno deseeded, chopped
1 whole white onion, choppped
2 Tablespoons butter (you can use olive oil instead)
1 can cream of celery
2-3 stalks of celery, chopped
1 1/2 cups milk
1lb Veleveeta Cheese, cubed
1 8oz pkg sharp grated cheddar cheese
1 chicken boullion cube
1 bunch fresh broccoli (or 10oz pkg frozen chopped broccoli)

1.  In a large soup stockpot, in some butter or olive oil, saute the green pepper, jalapeno, onion, celery, and broccoli until tender.  
2.  In the same pot, cover this mixture with the soup, 1 soup can of water, milk, boullion cube, and cheeses.  Simmer for about 30 minutes.
3.  With a handheld stick blender, puree this mixture.  Then cover and simmer for about 30 minutes more.  
4.  You can garnish with a sprinkling of fresh chives or parsley if you like.

I did not follow these instructions...
1. I did #1 and sauted everything is says to.  
2.  Then I put the mixture into a crock pot and then poured the soup, water, milk, boullion cube, and cheese in over them and then mixed them together.  
3.  I cooked the soup for about 4 hours.
4.  Then I poured the mixture into my blender (since I don't have a handheld stick blender) and pureed the soup.  
5.  Then I placed the soup back into the crock pot and served.

This was perfect with a loaf of french bread!

My four year old did all of the chopping except for the jalapeno!  My 6 year old loves to dip her saltines in and pretend it is dip!  Whatever it takes to get them to eat it!