Last Friday, when I went to take care of some Christmas returns (and might have purchased a few things), I drove through Swisher on my way home and made a quick stop at the Kava House and Cafe.  If you haven’t been to the Kava House and Cafe, then you MUST go there.  They have wonderful fresh baked goods, delicious lunches, and I’ve heard their Saturday evening dinners are amazing.

If you recall, back in September, my parents and Grandma Helen took me to the Kava House and Cafe for my birthday lunch.  Such a darling place with warm hospitality and delicious food!

 

Well, after my shopping at Coralville Mall, I stopped in at the Kava House and Cafe to pick up a few of their amazing bars (for the boys, of course).  Their peanut butter scotch-a-roo might be just about the best scotch-a-roo I’ve ever had.  Sometimes, they make this chocolate chip blondie bar with a heavenly taste of peanut butter throughout the bar…I dream about that one.

After picking a few bars for them to package up in to-go boxes, I saw Cheeseburger Soup on their chalkboard.  Since I was starving (due to shopping so intensely that I didn’t stop for lunch), I ordered a bowl of Cheeseburger Soup for take-out.  Oh. My. Word.  It was heavenly.  Soooooo good, that I just had to find a recipe and make some of that yummy stuff for my family.

After much searching on the world-wide web of Pinterest, I found three recipes.  I took a little bit of this from one recipe, a little bit of that from another recipe, and a little wow from the third recipe.  The result…my own version (and perhaps, the best…sorry to sound arrogant).  The following recipe I am about to share is the phenomenal Cheeseburger Soup.

Cheeseburger Soup ~ from the kitchen of Angela Banae

1 lb. hamburger

3/4 cup celery, chopped

1/2 cup carrots, chopped

1/2 an onion, chopped

2 TBSP and 3 TBSP butter (divided)

1/4 cup flour

1 tsp. dried parsley flakes

1 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. salt

1 32 oz. box of chicken broth

1 can petite diced tomatoes, drained completely

4 cups potatoes, peeled & cubed

2 cups sharp shredded cheese

1 cup (half pint) of heavy whipping cream

Optional:  6 pieces- bacon (cooked and crumbled), dill pickle slices

Brown hamburger in saucepan.  Once the hamburger is browned, add the chopped celery, carrots, onion, and 2 TBSP of butter.  Add the parsley flakes, pepper, and salt.  Saute for 5 minutes or so.  When vegetables are tender, add the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and cubed potatoes.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 12 minutes.

In a small skillet, melt the 3 TBSP of butter and add the flour to make a paste.  Cook for 3-5 minutes, until bubbly.  Add the butter/flour paste to the simmering soup.  Blend well and reduce heat to low.

Add the half pint of whipping cream to the soup.  Then, stir in the shredded cheese.  Cook and stir until the cheese melts.

Ladle soup into bowls.  Optional:  top with crumbled bacon and pickle slices.

Because I am so fancy, I thought I’d add pictures of the cooking process. 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A perfect soup for those cold, chilly nights!  Enjoy making this soup…and it tastes super great over the next few days as well…if you happen to have leftovers!

 

Have a great day and if you are ever are driving through Swisher, make sure to stop in at the Kava House and Cafe…their bars and soups are absolutely amazing!