Rinse 1 large bunch of broccoli (about 6-8 cups raw when chopped, including stems).

Peel and chop a medium to large potato.

In a pot of boiling water, add the potato pieces first. Cook for 5-6 minutes until tender.

Add the broccoli to lightly cook until tender--about 2 to 3 minutes. Drain the water.

Place 2/3 of the broccoli in a large blender container. Set the other 1/3 aside in a big bowl.

Add half the potato to the blender and set the other half aside.

Chop the onion and add half of the pieces to the blender.

Also add the following ingredients to the blender-- the beans, nutritional yeast, basil, salt, paprika, vegetable broth and garlic.

Process the blender ingredients until thick and smooth. This works best in a high speed blender.

Pour the blender contents into a large pot. Stir in the veggies you had previously set aside. Also add in the bay leaf.

Stir as you bring the soup to a slow boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for at least 5 minutes.

If you would like to add some whole grain pasta, stir cooked pasta in just before serving so it doesn't get mushy. The soup will be ready to serve now or you can simmer longer for a thicker soup consistency.