Mexican Potato Beer Cheese Soup with Poblano Crema
Prep Time
15mins
Cook Time
20mins
Total Time
35mins
Comfort food at its finest - potatoes,cheese and beer, in one creamy, satisfying soup with a hint of smoky poblano chile.
Course:
Soup
Servings: 6servings
Author: Priscilla
Ingredients
1large onionchopped
3clovesgarlicminced
1tablespoonsunflower oil
2tablespoonsbutterdivided use
1/4teaspoonred chile pepper flakes
1teaspooncumin
2poundsRed Rose Idaho potatoes
1craft beer of your choice*
1cuplow sodium vegetable or chicken stock
1cupwater
1poblanopasilla chile
1 /4cuphalf & halfdivided use
6ouncesMonterey Jackcheese, shredded
1/2teaspoonsea salt and pepper to taste
Garnish: chopped avocadofresh cilantro and crumb
Instructions
Heat oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a heavy soup pot over medium high heat. Add the onions and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, Add minced garlic and cumin, cook for another minute. Add the beer. Remove the mixture to a blender and process until you have a smooth puree. Set aside.
While the onions are cooking, peel the potatoes and cut into 1 inch cubes. After the onion mixture has been transferred to the blender, add the potatoes to the soup pot with another tablespoon of butter. Saute until potatoes are fragrant and turning golden.
Add onion mixture back to the pot with the potatoes, along with one cup of stock and 1 cup water. Bring mixture to a simmer and cook until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Mash the potatoes thoroughly with a potato masher.
While the potatoes are cooking, char the chile pepper in a skillet, over a gas flame or in the broiler until the skin is blackened. Put in a baggie or paper bag to steam for about 5 minutes. Then remove the skin and seeds. Resist the temptation to rinse the chile - water will dilute the wonderful smoky flavor of the chile. Chop the chile. Add to the blender with 1/4 cup of half & half and puree.
Whisk a cup of the warm soup into the half & half, then add to the pot with the grated cheese and whisk until blended. Add more broth or water if mixture is thicker than you prefer. Serve hot and garnish with cilantro and/or avocado and Queso Fresco crumbles.
Recipe Notes
You will need a blender and a potato masher. *I used Nantucket's Cisco Brewers - Grey Lady Ale. If you prefer not to use beer, low sodium chicken or vegetable broth may be substituted.