Apple Oktoberfest Cheese Soup

By charlotteh371

Ingredients

• 8 strips bacon, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and diced
• 1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped
• 1 rib celery, chopped
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 1/4 tsp. dry mustard powder
• 1/4 tsp. smoked paprika (I searched everywhere for this and ironically found it in bulk at Costco)
• 1 tsp. minced garlic
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1 cup Oktoberfest style beer (I went PNW and used Pyramid Oktoberfest)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 5 ounces sharp cheddar cheese
• 3 ounces smoked Gouda ( I may have been more generous with the Gouda)

Preparation

Step 1

In a large sauce pan, fry up your bacon (use the whole package…you know for snacks. :) )

Once bacon is crisp, remove and set aside. Add onion, carrots, apple, and celery to the bacon grease and cook on medium heat until the fruits and veggies are translucent. Add in the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.

Throw in your spices and flour and cook out the flour taste for about 2-3 minutes. It will turn a little brown…go with it.

Deglaze the pan and try and get all the good bits of the bottom up with the beer and chicken stock.

Let simmer on medium for about 15 minutes.

Working in batches and being careful because it is hot. Blend the soup with the cheese. Yes you read that right. Hopefully you have a good blender. I have a Vitamix 1363 CIA Professional Series, Platinum and that sucker will pulverize anything (one of the best investments I EVER made).

Once the cheese and soup are all blended together put back in pot and add heavy cream. Heat up and serve warm with a ton of bacon.