3 Cheese Soup with Red Pepper & Bacon

A couple of weeks ago, I caught a dreadful Summer cold, which turned into bronchitis.  Fun right?  ALL I WANTED was soup and grilled cheese.  I found this delicious soup recipe over at How Sweet Eats and new immediately I had to try it.  Oh my goodness.  This stuff is heavenly.  So decadent and delicious.  And how could it not be with the heavy cream and all those cheeses?

3 Cheese Soup with Red Pepper & Bacon (source)

Ingredients

1 onion, chopped

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup unsalted butter

1/4 cup flour

4 cups (1 quart) heavy cream

1 cup chicken broth

1 cup grated yellow, sharp cheddar cheese

1 cup grated white, sharp cheddar cheese

1 cup grated colby cheese

1 red bell pepper, chopped (divided)

12 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (divided)

salt & pepper to taste

cayenne pepper to taste

chives for garnish

Directons

Heat oil and butter in a soup pot.  Add onions and saute until translucent, about 10 minutes.  Add flour and whisk constantly to create a roux.

Reduce heat to medium and add chicken broth and heavy cream.  Add cheeses in small handfuls, stirring constantly to keep it from sticking to the bottom.  Add half the bell pepper and reduce heat to medium low. Let simmer for 15 minutes, or until thickens.  Stir in half the cooked bacon.  Add salt, pepper and cayenne pepper to taste.  Serve in soup bowls and garnish with remaining red bell pepper, bacon and some freshly chopped chives.