So a few weeks ago I stumbled upon a recipe on the Williams-Sonoma website for Cheddar Ale soup...it sounded delicious but I didn't have all the ingredients....so I filed it on my computer for another day. I recently got a Mac and I'm still (3+ months later) trying to figure it out. I went to find the recipe and couldn't remember where I filed it.....so I did a quick google search for Cheddar Ale Soup and not only did I find the original recipe (from Williams-Sonoma), but I found someone that made THAT soup served in a...........wait for it.................
A pretzel bowl! It has all the makings of the perfect game day food (or any day food, really)! I could probably poll 100 men (and women too) and 90% would say at least 3 of these ingredients are on their "Top 10 Favorite Foods" list! Cheese.......Check! Bacon.....Check! Beer......Check! Pretzels......CHECK!!! Pure Genius!
All day my house smelled amazing, from the pretzel dough rising on the counter, to the soup simmering on the stove, to the pretzel bowls baking in the oven.....it was heaven! And the taste was even better! It was delicious and the best part....I didn't have bowls to wash after because we got to eat them!
I'm not going to lie or even try to minimize this meal.....it takes awhile to make and it's pretty tedious and there are lots of pans and bowls to wash (but no soup bowls). I was in the kitchen a lot this morning, more than I like to be. When I wasn't actually standing at the stove, I was checking on things, but if you have some time and want to make a yummy meal DO IT..I dare you! You won't be disappointed! File this one away for when you are home on a snowy day or a weekend when you have extra time to spend cooking! I actually did most of the prep and cooking of this meal in the morning and then finished it up around dinner time, because I had time while my kids were in school. It actually worked out nicely! You don't have to do the pretzel bowls either...you can serve the soup in regular bowls....but I highly suggest the edible ones! My kids loved them, and I can't lie.....I did too!
Pretzel Bowls
Makes 4 Bowls
5 1/2 cups bread flour
2 envelopes of quick-rising yeast
2 tsp salt
2 tsp sugar
4 cups + another tablespoon or 2 of hot water (very hot, but not boiled)
Cornmeal
8 cups of water
1/4 cup baking soda
2 Tbsp sugar
1 egg white (beaten to blend)
Coarse Salt (I didn't have this, so I left it out...I also don't like salt on my pretzels -- I'm weird
Combine bread flour, yeast, salt, sugar and water in stand mixer (or large bowl) and mix until dough comes together in a ball. Switch stand mixer to kneading attachment and knead for 5 minutes. Or put dough on floured surface and knead for 5 minutes (or until elastic and smooth. Grease medium bowl. Add dough to bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and a dishtowel. Let dough rise in a warm, draft-free area until doubled in volume (about 35 minutes).
Flour baking sheet. Knead on lightly floured surface. Diving into 4 equal pieces. Form each piece into a ball and place on floured baking sheet. Cover with towel and let sit for approx. 20 minutes until balls double in volume.
Preheat oven 375. Grease another baking sheet and sprinkle with cornmeal. Bring 8 cups of water to boil in large sauce pan. Add baking soda and sugar (it will foam -- don't panic). Add one ball of dough to water with slotted spoon and let sit for 30 seconds. Flip ball and let sit for another 30 seconds. Transfer ball 9with slotted spoon) to prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining bowls.
Brush rolls with egg white. Sprinkle generously with salt (or omit like I did). Bake rolls until brown about 25-30 minutes. Transfer to wire racks and let cool.
Using a sharp knife, work on a diagonal in a circle to remove a hole in the top. Remove top and then hollow out the middles of the rolls to make a bowl. Do this gently so you don't puncture a hole in the sides or bottom.
Cheddar Ale Soup
(adapted from Williams-Sonoma)
Serves 6-8 bowls of soup
6 slices of bacon
1 Tbsp butter
1 Vidalia onion -- diced
2 carrots -- peeled and diced
2 celery stalks -- diced
3 cloves of garlic -- minced
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cup pale ale (any flavor you like)
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
3 cups milk
3 cup chicken broth
1 pound of extra sharp cheddar cheese-- shredded
In a frying pan, cook bacon until crisp.
Remove bacon and drain on paper towel.
In a large stock pot add 2 pieces of the bacon and 2 Tbsp of the fat from the frying pan, cook on medium heat.
Add and melt the butter.
Add the onion, carrots and celery, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 20 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the flour and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 4 minutes.
Add the ale and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 to 3 minutes.
Add the Worcestershire, milk and broth, increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes.
Remove the pot from the heat and puree the soup (in small batches) in a blender. You can also you an immersion blender.
Set the pot over medium-low heat and add the cheese by the handful, stirring constantly; do not allow the soup to boil.
Season with salt and pepper. Ladle the soup into warmed pretzel bowls.
Garnish with leftover crumbled bacon.
ENJOY!!! I know you will!!!
~Gianna~
