Jalapeño Bacon Beer Cheese Soup

I have had a Beer Cheese Soup recipe in my files for several years now and never really thought about making a different one. That was until I came across this recipe. Jalapeños and bacon in beer cheese soup, yup need to try this one.

I was quite surprised at how different this soup was from my other Beer Cheese Soup. The beer flavor is much stronger in this soup. I was also surprised that there was not a whole lot of spiciness to it. I used 2 jalapeños and left the seeds in and there was only a very subtle spiciness to it. So next time I make it I will be adding 1 more jalapeño to it to up the spiciness a bit.

Jalapeño Bacon Beer Cheese Soup

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound turkey bacon
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 2-3 jalapeño peppers, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, diced
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 12 ounces ale beer
• 2 cups low sodium chicken stock
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• cayenne pepper, to taste
• black pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. In a large pot cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy on both sides. Transfer bacon to a paper towel lined plate and set aside. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in pot.
2. Add some olive oil to pot if bacon did not leave 2 tablespoons of grease.
3. Add the onion, celery and jalapeños and cook for 10 minutes or until tender.
4. Add in the garlic and cook for about 1 minute or until fragrant.
5. Add in the butter and stir until it melts.
6. Sprinkle in the flour and cook until it starts to turn golden brown, about 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly.
7. Add in the ale and broth. After the pan deglazes, use a immersion blender or transfer to a blender and process until smooth.
8. Add in the bacon and let the soup cook for 10 minutes.
9. Add in the mustard, Worcestershire, cream and cheese. Cook until the cheese has melted, without bringing it to a boil.
10. Season with cayenne and black pepper to taste.

Enjoy!!!

Serves: 4
Calories: 628
Total Fat: 49.4g
   Saturated: 26.6g
   Polyunsaturated: 1.4g
   Monounsaturated: 10.9g
   Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 166.9mg
Sodium: 1,122.4mg
Potassium: 256.7mg
Total Carbs: 18.9g
   Dietary Fiber: 1.5g
   Sugars: 3.5g
Protein: 40g
Vitamin A: 39.5%
Vitamin C: 14.2%
Calcium: 59.8%
Iron: 7%
*The nutritional information will vary slightly depending on the brands you use.
*Adapted from Closet Cooking.