Broccoli Cheddar Soup

By louisez • December 12, 2012 • 0 Comments

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Author Notes: After submitting my recipe for fennel orange breadsticks, which only uses half a cup of beer, I remembered what I do to use the rest of the beer in the bottle (I'm not a beer drinker. Those who are otherwise inclined could just drink it, I suppose, but I think this soup is better). - louisez

Serves 4-6

1 tablespoon butter
1 large onion, diced
2 pounds broccoli, stalks peeled and sliced, florets broken up
pinch nutmeg
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
2 quarts vegetable broth
1 1/2 cup half and half
4 cups grated sharp cheddar
1 1/2 cup beer
dash crushed red pepper

Melt butter in soup pot. Add onion and saute till translucent. Add beer and cook 15 min.
Add broccoli, salt, pepper, and nutmeg, and crushed red pepper. Pour stock in and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer till broccoli is cooked.
Remove from heat and puree with immersion blender (or puree in batches in food processor). Add half-and-half. Return to heat and bring to a boil. Simmer 10 minutes. Stir in cheese. Cook till cheese is melted.