Recipe: Drunken Broccoli Cheese Soup

For people that weren't born into the vegan lifestyle there comes a list of things they miss. At the very least people miss flavor combinations. I missed broccoli cheese soup. (And beer cheese soup.)

Now I know, I've gone overboard on soup this month. Soup soup soup. My family is sick of soup. At least my 2 year old. She isn't picky when it comes to eating ANY NEW FOOD - its just that she doesn't get the appeal of soup. She plays with it and eats a little. Then she yells "OUTTT!!!" (of the highchair) I'd be better off serving her a stir fry with tempeh. She loves that stuff (veggies and tempeh!) SO - after this i've got one more soup and I'm taking a soup break. I swear I always said I would be the parent that was all like "If you're not going to eat it then you can go hungry!!!!" - I am! But I still need to listen to her. Like if she'll eat all of the individual components of soup as long as its not soupy then I'm a jerk to puree her food. Or cook it forever. Or goddess forgive mix the foods together! I have to point out each individual food in a mixed dish for her and then she will eat it. 

Drunken Broccoli Cheese Soup

(Vegan Beer Broccoli Cheese Soup!) 

2 large starchy potatoes (russet), peeled and chopped

1/2 onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 c. roasted red pepper, chopped

4 c. broccoli, chopped (fresh or frozen is fine)

1 & 1/2 c. nutritional yeast

2 TBSP. miso paste 

2 c. vegetable broth

2 c. beer (I'd advise against any IPA or super bitter beers - they don't taste as good in foods. Drink those while eating the soup instead!) 

1 c. soy milk (or your favorite non-dairy milk)

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. smoked hot paprika 

• In a large pot bring the vegetable broth, potatoes, onion and garlic to a boil over high heat. Turn to medium-low and simmer until the potatoes are soft.
• Add in everything else except the non-dairy milk. Bring back up to a simmer and cook until the broccoli is soft enough to be blended but not super gross and turning grey. Mine took between 8-10 minutes. 
• Blend with your immersion blender (or in batches in your regular blender.) Add the milk to thin to your desired consistency. (Maybe more, maybe less.) 
• Check the seasonings and serve with some hearty rolls or crackers!
• (If you want the soup to have a more pronounced beer flavor you can replace the non-dairy milk with beer at the last step. It will have a more alcoholic taste if you add it without cooking - Bonus?!)
• ***To make this a Sober Broccoli Cheese Soup just use more veggie broth instead of the beer.