I’m a big fan of small plate foods. Pretzel rolls make the perfect size bread bowl. Plus they are just darn yummy.
Despite having the worst cold that I have EVER had in my life, last week I had way too many fun things to do that I had to try and rally and get it all in. Seriously, I was so sick that 8 pm came around every night that I couldn’t get home fast enough and crawl into bed for another 12 hours of sleep. Totally stupid. Today is Sunday and it’s the first day that I have only coughed ten times… I’m declaring myself better because I said so! I’m done with it…. Two weeks is far to long to be sick.
The big exciting news this week is that my parents got their new puppy just in time for Christmas! We are all so thrilled! A new baby in the family is the best thing ever. “Perry Briggs” (named after my Mom’s father) arrived safely after his first road trip from St. Louis to Denver on Monday. Perry is a fawn colored Bouvier des Flanders and is already a “big” boy. When he is all grown up he will be 110 pounds or larger. You should see his paws, ears and head… enormous. So far, so great. He is very sweet and follows my Dad around like his shadow. My dogs are getting old and have little patience for a puppy, so they just give him the “stink” eye and a little growl. They will learn to love him too! OMG, so cute!!! I can’t wait to see this little guy grow up!
My life is pretty weird. Things ALWAYS happen in three’s! Today’s post is no exception. On Friday, I showed homes to a new client. We finished off our day at one of my favorite places to eat for a late lunch in Castle Rock. We both ordered the Beer Cheese soup. While it was nice, it just needed a little more flavor. They made their soup with a light Pilsner beer from Kansas City (that’s the problem, as a Denverite and rivals with Kansas City) the beer was all wrong (sorry KC readers, you know what I’m talking about, Colorado produces better beer and we have a far better football team. LOL)! Anyway, I digress.. I was talking to a buddy and he said that he was craving beer cheese soup and I talked to one of my gals, she said that she was making beer cheese soup. So here it is, beer cheese soup. I had to make it! My girl Amy said that she made her soup with cauliflower. That sounded interesting and I had it in my refrigerator! I thought that I might as well add it because this soup is so bad for you that adding some veges will make it a little “good for you”. Seriously, this is so decadent and good that you only need a few bites (or at least I only need a few bites), thus the pretzel rolls as a serving vessel. You really can’t eat beer cheese soup without good crusty bread and this just seemed to be the right thing to do! It also seems like a great little bite to serve at a party! I know that your friends will think it’s pretty awesome to have their own little bowl! Heck with a small serving, you can eat two!
- 1 stick butter
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 2 cups chopped cauliflower
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp caraway seeds
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1/2 cup + 2 tbs flour
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups Nut Brown Ale
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Pretzel rolls (optional)
- Melt butter in a large soup pot. Add onion, garlic, carrots, cauliflower, salt, pepper, caraway seeds and paprika. Saute for 10 minutes until vegetables become soft.
- Add flour, stir until combined and cook for one minute.
- Add chicken broth and beer at medium heat and a soft boil. Stir well and let it cook until it becomes thick. About five minutes.
- With an immersion blender (or regular blender, in small batches) combine until smooth. Add back to pot if using a regular blender. Turn heat to low.
- Add milk and cheese until the cheese is melted.
- Add fresh chopped parsley.
- Adjust seasoning if needed and serve.
- If you are using bread bowls, heat the oven to 375 degrees and warmthe bread for for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and cut out the top of the roll and “remove” the inside of the roll. Place the soup in the bread bowl. If not using a bread bowl- just serve with crusty bread on the side.
I know, I know, not a Colorado beer.I don’t normally drink beer and I don’t have any room in my refrigerator to store 5 beers. So I had to “cheat” on Colorado and buy something else. That being said, any Nut Brown ale will do one and my liquor store sells this brand in individual bottles!
The boys being their mellow selves even when there is a Honey Baked ham within feet of them. They are teaching the new puppy “Perry Briggs” well. No begging!
Ok! We were good until the zip lock bag came out! Charming Charlie licking is chops! So funny!
Big dog, little dog. Christmas dog love!
The “Classic” ladies. We have been doing an ornament exchange for 15 years+. It’s always a lovely evening with lovely ladies.
My friends Dave and Tali had a 15 foot Christmas tree. I wish that I had a cabin tall enough to do that too! Except I’m not sure how that I could get on a ladder that tall. Wait, I don’t own a ladder that tall!
My gift for a white elephant party. “Reinbeers”. Nuf said…
A holiday party is not complete without Cards Against Humanity and Moscow Mules. It’s just ugly. That’s all I will say…. Way too many incriminating things were divulged…. If you haven’t played this game. You are missing out. It’s a card game for horrible people. That’s all…