BEER-CHEDDAR SOUP

BEER-CHEDDAR SOUP image

Number Of Ingredients 11

10 ounces sourdough bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
Cooking spray
2 cups chopped onion (about 2 medium)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (12-ounce) bottle beer
4 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth, divided
1/2 cup flour
2 cups 2% milk, divided
1 1/4 cups (5 ounces) shredded extrasharp cheddar cheese
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh chives

Steps:

Preheat over to 450. Arrange bread cubes in a single layer on a jelly-roll pan; coat bread cubes with cooking spray. Bake at 450 for 10 minutes or until toasted. Set aside. Heat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion; saute 4 minutes. Add garlic; saute 1 minute. Stir in beer; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 20 minutes or until onion is very tender. Place beer mixture and 1 cup broth in a blender. Remove center piece of blender lid (to allow steam to escape); secure blender lid on blender. Place a clean towel over opening in blender lid. Blend until smooth. Return pureed mixture to pan. Stir in remaining 3 cups broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Combine flour and 1 cup milk, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Add flour mixture and remaining 1 cup milk to pan; cook 12 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove pan from heat. Gradually add cheese, stirring until smooth. Stir in pepper. Serve with bread cubes and chives.