Dutch Cheese Soup

Having had such wonderful food on my cruise to the Baltic in August, I wondered what other great things were being cooked up on other cruise lines. I found a web site that lists 20 or more food items from various cruise lines, the best of the best, www.cruiserecipes.net. The recipe I am sharing with you today is from Viking River Cruises. I have not tasted the soup myself, but have heard from several passengers that this soup is outstanding. Here it is. It's not hard to make, so you be the judge. What's better on a cold winter day than a piping hot bowl of soup? (this recipe is taken directly from www.viking rivercruise.com.

Dutch Cheese Soup From Viking River Cruises . Viking has cruises on rivers throughout Europe, including Holland. The Dutch are great soup eaters, often featuring soup as a meal’s main dish. This hearty soup is perfect for a fall or winter evening served piping hot with thick slices of a dark bread. 1/4 cup vegetable oil 2 tablespoons butter 1/2 cup diced onions One cup diced cauliflower 2 potatoes cut into half-inch cubes 1/2 cup carrots cut into one half-inch cubes 4 cups chicken stock 4 ounces Canadian bacon diced 5 ounces Gouda cheese thinly sliced 8 slices sourdough baguette Salt & pepper to taste

Heat oil on medium-high heat in a 1.5-quart saucepan. Add onion and sauté until softened. Add cauliflower, carrots and potato; sauté for 5 minutes. Stir in chicken stock and bring to a boil. In a small skillet, heat the butter. Add the Canadian bacon and sauté until lightly browned. Add bacon to soup. Reduce heat to low and cover, simmering until vegetables are tender (about 15 minutes). Pour soup into four individual flameproof crocks or bowls. Top each portion with two bread slices and one-quarter of the cheese. Place under the broiler until cheese is bubbly. Serve immediately.

Yields 4