Ingredients
Soup Base
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium white onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large poblano peppers, roasted, peeled, and diced
Additional Ingredients
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Heat oil: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat to prepare the base for sautéing.
- Sauté onions: Add diced white onion to the pan and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the onions are softened and translucent, creating a flavorful base.
- Add garlic and cumin: Stir in minced garlic and ground cumin, cooking for 1 minute while stirring constantly until fragrant to enhance the soup’s aroma.
- Add broth and peppers: Pour in chicken broth and season with salt. Stir in the roasted, peeled, and diced poblano peppers. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to blend flavors.
- Add cream and puree: Stir in heavy cream if using. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth; alternatively, carefully transfer to a blender to puree and then return to the saucepan.
- Coat cheese: In a small bowl, toss shredded white cheddar cheese with cornstarch until evenly coated to prevent clumping when melted.
- Melt cheese into soup: Reduce heat to medium and gradually stir the cheese mixture into the soup while stirring continuously until fully melted and smooth.
- Thicken and season: Continue heating the soup gently until it thickens slightly without boiling. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve warm for best flavor.
Notes
- Roast poblano peppers by charring them over an open flame or under a broiler until the skin blisters, then peel off the skin for best flavor.
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and ensure the cheese is vegetarian-friendly.
- The cornstarch helps prevent the cheese from clumping and ensures a creamy texture.
- Do not boil the soup after adding cheese to avoid curdling.
- You can prepare the soup ahead and reheat gently before serving, adding a splash of cream if needed to restore creaminess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
- Diet: Halal