Beer Cheese Soup

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons butter
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
3 red potatoes, cut into large pieces
1 onion sliced
1/4 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper
Red pepper flakes
1 bottle (12 ounces) of your favorite beer
2 cans (14.5 ounces) chicken or vegetable broth
2 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup ham, cut into small pieces

Instructions

Heat butter in large heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Add carrots, potatoes and onion. Cook, stirring, until lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
Add salt and pepper and red pepper flakes to taste.
Add beer. Bring to boil, stirring to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom on the pan. Add chicken broth. Heat to boil. Cover and cook until potatoes and carrots are tender, about 15 minutes.
Cool slightly. Puree with immersion blender. Stir in cheese. Heat, stirring constantly, until cheese melts. Taste and add more salt or red pepper flakes, if needed. Add ham and stir until heated through.