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Creamy Broccoli, Beer, and Cheddar Soup
Rich, malty, and impossibly cheesy, this broccoli and beer soup hits all the right comfort notes. A splash of your favorite brew adds a deep, savory background that cuts right through the richness of the heavy cream and melted cheddar. You'll love how the cream cheese thickens the broth into a velvety base for the tender vegetables. It's the kind of hearty bowl that begs for a crusty bread boule or a stack of toasted sourdough on the side.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 bottle of your favorite beer
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 5 large crowns fresh, finely chopped broccoli
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon paste or powder
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 10 or so grinds fresh black pepper
- 2 cups shredded Katahdin Cheddar plus ¼ cup for garnish
Instructions
- 1Warm the butter in a large saucepan until melted, then stir in the chopped onion and cook until translucent. Pour in the beer, scraping the bottom of the pan to release any browned bits, followed by the chicken stock and chopped broccoli.
- 2Bring the liquid to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Stir in the cream cheese and chicken bouillon paste, keeping the heat low until the cream cheese melts completely. Mix in the heavy cream, salt, and black pepper.
- 3Sprinkle in 2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir continuously over low heat until the cheese melts smoothly into the broth. Don't let the soup boil here, or the cheese might separate and become grainy.
- 4Blend the soup directly in the pot using an immersion blender until it reaches your preferred consistency. Alternatively, process the mixture in small batches using a standard blender and pour it back into the saucepan.
- 5Keep the soup warm on very low heat until you're ready to eat. Ladle into bowls and top with the reserved 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
Notes
- Texture: Skip the blending process entirely if you prefer a chunky, rustic vegetable soup.
- Serving: Ladle the soup into a hollowed-out bread boule for a classic, hearty presentation.
- Cheese: Grate your own high-quality sharp cheddar from a block. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.