Cheese Soup -DUPE NEEDS REDIRECT

Cheese Soup with German Lager, Black Forest Ham and Whole Grain Croûtons

This soup contains four of German cuisine’s finest offerings: cheese, beer, ham, and bread. What more could you ask for?

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted butter

4 ounces Black Forest ham, diced

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

3 shallots, chopped

1 clove garlic, chopped

1/2 tablespoon chili powder

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup German lager

7 cups chicken stock

Pinch of cumin seed

2 cups shredded Allgäuer Emmentaler cheese

2 cups shredded Tilsiter cheese

Sea salt

Freshly ground white pepper

4 slices whole grain German bread, chopped

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

Preparation:

In a stockpot, melt 1/4 cup of the butter over medium-high heat. Add the Black Forest ham, and sauté until golden brown. Add the onion, shallots, garlic, and chili powder. Sauté until glossy, about 2 minutes.

Add the flour to create a roux. Whisk in the German lager and stock.

Add the cumin seed, and lower the heat to medium. Cook until the liquid is reduced by one-half, about 35 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in the cheeses. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

To make the croûtons, melt the remaining butter in a medium sauté pan over high heat. Add the diced German whole grain bread, and pan-toast until crispy.

Pour into serving bowls and top with the croûtons and the cilantro. Serve immediately.

Recipe courtesy of Chef Marcel Biró