Broccoli Cheddar Beer Soup

[caseydog]

Broccoli Cheddar Beer Soup

Ingredients

1 Pound Broccoli Florets
1 Large White Onion - Diced
2 Cloves Garlic - Minced
1 12 Ounce can/bottle of Beer (I used a Hefeweizen and liked it)
1.5 Cups Heavy Cream
1 Quart Chicken Stock
2 Cups Sharp/Aged Cheddar - Shredded
1/4 Cup Whipped Cream Cheese (I used Roasted Pepper Cream Creese - Optional)
Salt and Pepper to Taste

1. In a stock pot or Dutch oven, heat some neutral oil (canola) and sauté onions and garlic just until translucent.

2. Add beer and deglaze the pan. Let it simmer for a few minutes to cook off alcohol taste.

3. Add broccoli.

4. Add chicken stock. Reduce heat and let simmer to soften the broccoli.

5. Stir in heavy cream.

6. Add cheddar and cream cheese. Allow to melt, stirring occasionally.

7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

If the soup is thicker than you like, add some more chicken stock. I like mine more on the thick side.

CD

 

[RobertHolloway]

Wow, this sounds like the ultimate comfort food! I love the addition of beer it must add such a nice depth of flavor. The roasted pepper cream cheese is a great touch too. Do you blend the soup for a smooth texture or leave it chunky with the broccoli florets?

 

[caseydog]

Wow, this sounds like the ultimate comfort food! I love the addition of beer it must add such a nice depth of flavor. The roasted pepper cream cheese is a great touch too. Do you blend the soup for a smooth texture or leave it chunky with the broccoli florets?

I leave the chunks of broccoli. I had to do some "styling" for the photo, because the broccoli sinks to the bottom on its own.

CD

 

[dragnlaw]

Does beer truly add flavour to recipes? I often wonder the point.

What did you use to elevate the broccoli for the picture? Marbles underneath?
What company was sued for false advertising their soups - think it was a Minestrone - showing all the vegies at the top, when really there were marbles underneath to raise them because they sank. Poetic license but considered false advertising.
Notice that many boxes have a tiny mention that the picture either "enlarged to show shape" (or something to that effect) or "actual size". Lawyers had a field day!

 

[caseydog]

Does beer truly add flavour to recipes? I often wonder the point.

What did you use to elevate the broccoli for the picture? Marbles underneath?
What company was sued for false advertising their soups - think it was a Minestrone - showing all the vegies at the top, when really there were marbles underneath to raise them because they sank. Poetic license but considered false advertising.
Notice that many boxes have a tiny mention that the picture either "enlarged to show shape" (or something to that effect) or "actual size". Lawyers had a field day!

Beer can elevate flavors, in something like this soup. The beer I used in that soup worked great in the soup, even though the beer on its own was not very good.

I put an upside down paper bowl in the ceramic bowl in the photo, to hold the broccoli up. It did the job without ruining the soup. I just fished the paper bowl out, topped off the bowl, and ate it. It really was a good soup, not just a somewhat pretty photo.

I am a profesional photographer, but not a professional food photographer. Most professional food photographs are not of edible foods. Marbles are nothing, compared to what they do to other foods to make them look perfect.

CD

 

[dragnlaw]

Most professional food photographs are not of edible foods.

Yep, my bro was also a photographer.
Actually some of it is. But I would want to be there to see just exactly what they do before I have a wee taste!