Irish Cheddar and Ale Soup

This is a recipe for Irish Cheddar and Ale soup. The texture is surprisingly only slightly thicker than most other soups, and it can be enjoyed any time of year. This recipe originated from the Soup of the Day cookbook from Williams-Sonoma. The two keys to making this soup successfully are the ingredients and whisking. Use genuine Irish ingredients, including Irish butter, Smithwick’s Irish ale, and Irish cheddar cheese, and shred and grate the cheese yourself. As mentioned in the instructions below, it is important to whisk constantly when adding the cheese and not let it boil, or it will get stringy and lumpy.

• Irish Butter:  one stick
• Leek:  2 cups, white and pale green parts, very finely diced
• Carrot:  ½ cup, very finely diced
• Celery:  ½ cup, very finely diced
• Course Ground Pepper:  to taste
• Flour:  ½ cup
• Dry Mustard:  ½ teaspoon
• Chicken Broth:  4 cups
• Smithwick’s Irish Ale:  12 ounce bottle
• Worcestershire Sauce:  2 teaspoons
• Irish Cheddar Cheese:  8 ounces, freshly shredded
• Parmesan Cheese:  ¼ cup, freshly grated
• Bread:  pretzel bread or Irish soda bread

• In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat.
• Add the leek, carrot, celery, pepper, and sauté about 10 minutes until softened.
• Stir in the flour and dry mustard, and sauté for another minute.
• Add the broth and the ale. Whisk regularly to break up any lumps, and cook for another 5 minutes until the mixture is slightly thickened.
• Add the Worcestershire sauce and cheese, and whisk constantly until completely melted, about 3 to 5 minutes. It is important to not let the soup boil, or it will develop a stringy texture.
• Ladle into bowls and season with course ground pepper. Serve with pretzel bread or Irish soda bread. And of course, a pint of Guinness or Smithwick’s Irish ale, and some “trad” (traditional Irish music).

Each page of my website has a comments and discussion section, which is unique to each respective page, and is based on your Facebook account. Please feel free to provide feedback, comments, or suggestions, as well as ask questions. Any comments that you make will be publicly visible, but do not display on your Facebook news feed or timeline. If someone likes your comment or replies to your comment, you will will be informed via a Facebook notification. I am automatically notified of all comments, and will respond as soon as possible.