German Cheese And Beer Soup

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 4 ounces black forest ham, diced
• 1 cup yellow onion, chopped
• 3 shallots, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup lager beer (most traditional beers in America are close to lager style)
• 7 cups chicken stock
• 1 pinch cumin seed
• 2 cups shredded swiss cheese or 2 cups emmenthaler cheese
• 2 cups shredded gouda cheese (original recipe calls for Tilsiter)
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground white pepper, to taste
• 4 slices whole grain german bread, cubed
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

1. In a stockpot, melt 1/4 cup of the butter over medium-high heat. Add the Black Forest ham, and saute until golden brown. Add the onion, shallots, garlic, and chili powder. Saute until glossy, about 2 minutes.
2. Add the flour to create a roux. Whisk in the beer and stock.
3. Add the cumin seed, lower the heat to medium. Cook until the liquid is reduced by one-half, about 35 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and stir in the cheeses. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
5. To make the croutons, melt the remaining butter in a medium saute pan over high heat. Add the cubed bread, and pan-toast until crispy.
6. Pour into serving bowls and top with the croutons and the cilantro. Serve immediately.

unsalted butter, black forest ham, yellow onion, shallots, garlic, chili powder, flour, lager beer, chicken stock, cumin, swiss cheese, gouda cheese, salt, fresh ground white pepper, bread, cilantro

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/german-cheese-and-beer-soup-531959 (may not work)