Dutch Cheese Soup

Last week I got an email from Viking River Cruises.  I was surprised to find that there was a recipe included in the email! Throughout the entire Rhine River cruise we sampled local cuisine that was wonderful.  Sending a recipe brought back great memories of the fantastic dining we experienced!

The recipe was for Dutch Cheese Soup.  I was really thrilled to see a soup recipe.  It has been cold and foggy here.  When the dampness sets in, soup comes to mind.  This particular soup looked quite tasty and reminded me of the various cheeses that we sampled on our journey and during our stay in Amsterdam.

This is a quick and easy dish for when the dinner hour is approaching and you have just gotten home!

I did make a couple of changes to the recipe.  The ingredient list didn't include any herbs and since I had a bundle of fresh thyme in the refrigerator, I added some.  I also accidentally purchased Hickory Smoked Gouda.  That worked out fine as it was a good match with the Canadian bacon.

Dutch Cheese Soup

adapted from Viking River Cruises

Serves 4

1/4 cup vegetable oil (I used olive oil.)
2 Tbs butter
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 cup diced cauliflower
2 potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1/2 cup carrots, cut into 1/2 inch cubes (I used two carrots, 1/4-1/2 inch slices)
1/2-1 tsp fresh thyme
4 cups chicken stock
4 ounces Canadian bacon, diced
5 ounces Gouda cheese, thinly sliced (I used one round about 7 ounces.)
8 slices sourdough baguette
Salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil on medium-high heat in a 1 1/2 quart saucepan.  Add onion and saute until softened.  Add cauliflower, carrots, and potatoes; saute for 5 minutes.  Add the fresh thyme during the last minute.  Stir in chicken stock and bring to a boil.  In a small skillet, heat the butter.  Add the Canadian bacon and saute until lightly browned.  Add bacon to soup.  Reduce heat to low and cover, simmering until vegetables are tender (about 15 minutes). Ladle soup into four individual flameproof crocks or bowls.  Top each portion with two bread slices and 1/4 of the cheese.  Place under the broiler until cheese is bubbly.  Serve immediately.

PRINTABLE RECIPE

It only takes a spoonful of thyme to prepare this meal.  The family loved it!  I will be making this recipe again!

Um, Um Good!