Heat butter or oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook 5 minutes. Add in carrots and garlic and cook for another 5 minutes.
Add all ingredients except for the cheese and cottage cheese to the pot. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes, until the broccoli is tender. Be sure to not overcook the broccoli as this will make the soup taste bad.
Turn off heat and add 2-3 cups of the soup to a blender along with the cottage cheese. Blend until smooth.
Add the blended soup back to the pot and turn the heat to low. Add in the cheese and stir until it is melted in and creamy.
Divide soup out and serve.
