Ingredients
The following ingredients have 6 Servings
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 1 stalk celery (finely chopped)
- 1 carrot (finely chopped)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- ¼ cup flour
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 12 ounces beer
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 bay leaf
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves)
- 6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (shredded, divided)
- 12 slices baguette (1/2" thick)
- 2 tablespoons garlic butter
- 2 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
Instruction
- Spread garlic butter over 12 baguette slices. Top with cheese and place on a baking sheet.
- Broil cheese toasts 6" from the heat until golden and bubbly, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Cook bacon in a large saucepan over medium heat until crisp. Reserve drippings and remove bacon to a paper towel lined plate.
- Add butter to reserved bacon drippings. Add onion, celery, carrot, and garlic and cook over medium heat until tender, about 5-6 minutes. Stir in flour and dry mustard. Cook 1 minute.
- Slowly add beer a little bit at a time whisking after each addition. The mixture will be very thick at first. Add chicken broth and cream a little bit at a time whisking until smooth after each addition. Add Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, smoked paprika, and fresh thyme leaves.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat while whisking. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes or until thick and bubbly. Remove from the heat.
- Set 1/4 cup cheese aside for topping, stir remaining cheese into the soup until melted.
- Ladle the soup into bowls, top with reserved cheese and crumbled bacon. Serve with cheese toasts.