Soup #2: Bier Käsesuppe

For my Bridal Shower, I was showered with soup recipes.  This is the second soup recipe I'm posting, gifted by my cousin Michelle who had just returned from Germany.   She even gave me authentic German beer to use in the soup.  I was a little worried about this recipe since I don't really like beer, but the soup was really good.   Jeremy and I both enjoyed it.   I especially liked dipping my breadsticks in the cheesy goodness.

Bier Käsesuppe

Serves: ~4
Time: ~30 minutes

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon butter
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery sticks, chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 tablespoons flour
1 bottle beer (12 oz), not too dark (Pilsner, Amber, Ale, Helles)
3.5 cups broth (chicken or vegetable)
1/2 cup Half & Half
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
salt to taste

Directions:
Melt the butter on medium heat in a large pot.  Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic.  Cook for 3-4 minutes.  Add flour to the pot and stir in well.  Add the beer and broth.   Let the soup heat up to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and stir in the the Half & Half and the cheese.

Allow the cheese to melt completely, and then add the mustard, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and red pepper flakes.  Puree the soup using an immersion blender (or a regular blender) until it's smooth.  Add a pinch of salt to taste.  Serve with bread.

Our ingredients:

 

Chopped veggies-- (I thought I was slow at preparation until I impatiently watched Jeremy chop the carrots and onions at snail speed... WOW.   But he did a great job, so I'm not complaining...)