Name: Beer Cheese Soup with Soft Pretzels
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4-6 servings (makes 6-ish cups)
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; half an onion, minced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 3-4 stalks of celery, minced; 1 jalapeno, minced; 1 red bell pepper, minced; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (adds a bacon-like flavor); 1 bottle of beer (I used Blue Moon - just a basic wheat beer); 2 cups of chicken or vegetable broth; 4 tablespoons butter; 4 tablespoons flour; 1 cup whole milk (high fat milk is better); 8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded; 4 ounces smoked cheddar cheese, shredded; salt and pepper to taste