Meals Matter

Beer Cheese Veggie Soup

Contributed By: nahrie
Desperation Dinners

A great meal when you want to keep it simple, just serve with a nice bread like sourdough or artisan of some kind.

Ingredients

2 cups (8 oz) cauliflower florets

1 cup Plus 3 tbsp. water

1 tbsp. Margarine

1/2 cup Frozen chopped onions

1/2 tsp. Bottled minced garlic

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 can Or bottle (12 oz) light-bodied beer

1 can (14.75 oz) fat-free chicken broth

3 tbsp. Cornstarch

2 cups Half-and-half

2 cups (8 oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Real bacon bits (optional)

Preparation

Place the cauliflower and 1 cup water in a covered dish and microwave on high until tender, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, melt the margarine in a 4 1/2 quart Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic and Worcestershire and stir well. Add the beer. Raise heat to high and boil 3 minutes to evaporate the alcohol. Add the chicken broth and bring the soup back to a boil. Lower the heat to medium and boil while you drain the cauliflower, chop it into bite-sized pieces and add it to the pot. Combine the cornstarch and 3 tbsp. water in a small container that has a lid. Shake until the lumps disappear, then set aside. Add the half-and-half and cheese to the soup. Stir constantly until the cheese melts, then shake the cornstarch mixture again and add it to the pot. Stir constantly until the soup is thick, about 2 minutes. Serve garnished with bacon bits (if using).

Cook's Notes

Cauliflower is not a neccesity for this recipe, but it is nice. You can also subsitute by using 2 cups of frozen southern style (cubed) potatoes. Just prepare them according to the directions on the package and then toss in when it calls for cauliflower. I also like to add a whole package of real bacon bits or crumbled fresh bacon when doing the potatoes. You can also make this soup without any veggie at all and it will still taste good.

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Recipe Details

Total Preparation Time: Less than 15 minutes
Ingredients: Soups & Stews
Actual Cooking Time: 15 to 30 minutes
Number of Servings: 6
Origin: American
Special Features: Quick to Prepare (under 30 minutes)
Kids Love It
Make Ahead