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Here’s what happens when cheese fondue becomes soup

Here’s what happens when cheese fondue becomes soup

By ALISON LADMAN
For The Associated Press

Article Last Updated: Tuesday, October 09, 2012 5:14pm

Matthew Mead/Associated Press

Instead of pretzels, try topping this cheddar cheese soup with crushed corn tortilla chips.

This soup will help put a little meat on your bones. We wanted to know what would happen if we replicated the awesomeness that is cheese fondue, but as a soup. This is what we got.

We topped our soup with crumbled pretzels because we like the contrast between the rich and creamy soup and the salty, crunchy pretzels. But croutons � especially homemade and just lightly crunchy � also would be a delicious way to top this soup.

Pretzel Cheddar Soup

Start to finish: 45 minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

4 ounces bacon, diced

1 medium yellow onion, diced

1 medium leek, white part only, diced

2 medium carrots, diced

2 stalks celery, diced

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

12-ounce bottle ale

Pinch of cayenne

1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

1 cup milk

1 pound very sharp cheddar, grated

Salt and ground black pepper

1 cup broken pretzels

Method:

In a large deep pot, such as a Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy and browned, about 6 to 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper towel, leaving the drippings in the pot.

Add the onion, leek, carrots and celery to the pot. Increase heat to medium-high and saute the vegetables until browned, about 10 minutes. Add the flour and stir to coat the vegetables. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, ale and cayenne. Stir continuously while returning to a simmer.

Add the chicken broth and milk and mix well. Return to a simmer, then cover and lower the heat to medium. Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.

Working in batches, transfer the mixture to a blender and puree until smooth. Return the soup to the pot over low heat, then stir in the cheese, a little at a time. Do not allow the soup to boil. Season with salt and black pepper. Ladle into crocks or bowls and serve topped with broken pretzels.

Nutrition information per serving: 500 calories; 300 calories from fat (60 percent of total calories); 34 g fat (17 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 95 mg cholesterol; 24 g carbohydrate; 2 g fiber; 6 g sugar; 25 g protein; 940 mg sodium.