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Cheese Soup

Alton Brown

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown, 2004

Show: Good EatsEpisode: Say Cheese!

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (57)

  • Cook Time:

    45 min

  • Level:

    Easy

  • Yield:

    about 1 1/2 quarts (about 4 servings)

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Times:

Prep
20 min
Inactive Prep
--
Cook
45 min
Total:
1 hr 5 min
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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 5 ounces small diced onion (approximately 1 cup)
  • 5 ounces small diced carrot (approximately 1 cup)
  • 5 ounces small diced celery (approximately 1 cup)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt for sweating vegetables, plus more if needed at end of cooking
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 quart chicken broth, heated to a simmer
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 10 ounces Fontina, shredded
  • 1 teaspoon Marsala wine
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon white pepper

Directions

Melt butter in large heavy-bottomed soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, and salt. Sweat for 5 to 10 minutes or until the vegetables begin to soften, stirring occasionally. Sift the flour over the vegetables and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 to 3 minutes.

Gradually add the chicken stock and bring to boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low and add the garlic and bay leaf. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until vegetables are soft.

Remove bay leaf. Turn off the heat, add the heavy cream, and then puree with an immersion blender or in a conventional blender*. Gradually add the cheese, 1 small handful at a time, and stir until melted before adding next handful. Stir in the Marsala, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and white pepper. Taste and add additional salt if desired. If soup is not hot enough, return to a low heat until warmed through.

*When blending hot liquids: Remove liquid from the heat and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes. Transfer liquid to a blender or food processor and fill it no more than halfway. If using a blender, release one corner of the lid. This prevents the vacuum effect that creates heat explosions. Place a towel over the top of the machine, pulse a few times then process on high speed until smooth.

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Read more Comments & Reviews (57)

Comments & Reviews

  • recipe Cheese Soup
    Michele East Stroudsburg, PA 04-22-2009

    Flag

    Loved it

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    Made it exactly as the recipe states, using Danish Fontina. Everyone loved this recipe. I added some cooked elbow noodles... to make a Mac and Cheese soup. Might try adding some cooked broccoli next time as well. Thanks Alton for another great recipe!Read more
  • recipe Cheese Soup
    Amy Beaumont, TX 02-19-2009

    Flag

    Know Your Cheese...

    Rated: 3 stars out of 5
    The recipe itself is fine, and I'm sure with another cheese it would be fantastic. I love cheese, so I was not concerned with... the fact that I've never had fontina. Apparently, there is Italian fontina and Dutch fontina. Ignorant to the difference, I purchased the Italian fontina. Horrible! Truly a stinky, strong, overpowering cheese. I've read that the Dutch fontina is a mild cheese, and might have been perfect. So, just know about your cheeses. I fully intend to try this recipe again, but with a gruyere or emmentaller. Happy cooking!Read more
  • recipe Cheese Soup
    jayme mountainside, NJ 02-08-2009

    Flag

    YUM!

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    My fam of 5 absolutely enjoyed this...even my smallest one. I omitted the hot sauce since I have little ones but was still SO... good. Thanks Alton...YUMMYRead more
  • recipe Cheese Soup
    Sunnie Las Vegas , NV 11-12-2008

    Flag

    Perfect! Wouldn't change a thing!

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    This soup really is perfect - easy to make, and tastes delicious. I will make it over and over again.
  • recipe Cheese Soup
    Kylie Indianapols, IN 07-11-2008

    Flag

    Fantastic cheese soup.

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    WOW, what a wonderful cheese soup with depth, and lots of flavor. My daughter who is 9 has made this twice ( w/ parental... help) and it is fantastic, easy and the best restaurant quality soup ever. Try this one! the flavor is wonderful.Read more
  • recipe Cheese Soup
    Sarah Tulsa, OK 05-06-2008

    Flag

    Best Cheese Soup!

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    Great flavor, and tasted even better leftover! I used sharp cheddar instead of fontina (you know, the whole budget thing),... and it turned out great!Read more
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