Cheese and Beer Soup with Garlic Croutons and Kielbasa Sausage

Ingredients

• 8 pieces kielbasa sausage
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onions
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 tablespoons minced garlic
• 6 tablespoons flour
• 6 cups chicken stock
• 2 cups lager beer
• 4 sprigs thyme
• 2 cups cubed Gruyere cheese, plus finely grated Gruyere cheese, for garnish
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh flat-leaf parsley, garnish
• 8 hot dog buns
• Garlic Croutons, recipe below

Directions

Saute the kielbasa until golden brown on all sides in a large, hot soup pot, about 4 minutes per side. The sausage will not be cooked through, It will finish cooking in the soup. Remove from the pan and set aside.

In a large pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions, salt, pepper and bay leaves, and cook, stirring, until the onions are slightly caramelized, 12 to 15 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Sprinkle the flour over the onions and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in the stock and beer. Add the thyme and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour.

During the last 15 minutes of cooking, add the kielbasa and cook until sausages are cooked through. Remove the cooked sausages from the soup. Add the cheese 1/3 cup at a time, stirring until nearly all melted and smooth after each addition. Remove from the heat and adjust the seasoning, to taste. Ladle into 1 or more thermoses.

Place sausages in each thermos. The hot soup will keep the sausage warm until you are ready to eat it. Pack a roll for the sausage as well. When it's time to eat the soup, remove the kielbasa and place it on the roll - soup and a sandwich on the go! Garnish with parsley, garlic croutons, and finely grated cheese.

Garlic Croutons:

• 8 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 2 cups diced day-old French bread (crusts removed), cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

In a medium ovenproof skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the bread cubes and salt and toss to combine. Transfer to the oven and bake, stirring occasionally, until the croutons are golden and crisp, about 10 minutes.

Remove from the oven and serve with the Cheese and Beer Soup.

Yield: 2 cups