Magnolia Day Cheese Soup

I have never had soup this good! After at least 3 months of not seeing the Southern crew who are referred to as The Magnolias, I sat in Patty's gorgeous living room and was served a luscious, velvety, not too creamy, perfectly seasoned cheese soup...in a McCarty bowl of course. This soup paired with best friends and you can never go wrong.

Magnolia Day Cheese Soup

Magnolia Day Cheese Soup
a.k.a. Dabney's Townhouse Cheese Soup Patty made this soup, but the recipe came from Dabney (who happens to be one of my Godmothers)

4 small carrots, cut in 1" matchsticks
3 stalks celery, cut in 1" matchsticks (note: I just put carrots and celery in processor and chop fine)
4 1/2 cups chicken stock, divided
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup flour
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
(1) 8 1/4 oz. can diced tomatoes,
    undrained and chopped
10 drops hot pepper sauce (optional)
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
salt to taste
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 1/2 cups whipping cream, heated

You have to use a few pans, 3 to be exact, but it's worth it. Heat 3 cups of chicken stock on low in pan number one. Cut carrots and celery to desired small pieces (either matchsticks or in food processor). In saucepan number two bring 1-1/2 cups chicken stock, carrots and celery to a boil and simmer until vegetables are tender...about 15 min. Set aside. In saucepan number 3 (the bigger saucepan...5 quart), melt butter over medium heat and saute onions until transparent. Add flour and combine well. Slowly stir the 3 cups hot stock into flour mixture. Cook over low heat, whisking constantly until thickened. NOTE: Use the hot chicken stock saucepan for the heated whipping cream..that's one less pot for cleanup!) Blend in cheese, stirring until melted. Add tomatoes and undrained carrots and celery and season with pepper sauce, salt, nutmeg and wine. Just before serving, stir in heated cream.

This serves 4 to 6 people. Patty doubled the recipe for our get together...you'll want leftovers of this!

A Brief Rundown on The Magnolia's: Di, Patty, Edna (my mother) and Christine.
Long before the Ya-Ya's and Steel Magnolia, there was a group of four eclectic Southern women who came together as friends...friends with daughters (there are sons too, but let's be honest, mothers and daughters have a certain...kinship). These women have been in my life since I was born...telling me what to do, what not to do and what I can get away with (Thank you, Di!). Each one have had a role in rearing me to be the woman I am today. At least one if not all of them have been there through heartache, love, wedding and child birth. I am a better person because of these women. I raise a glass now to my best friends Di, Patty, Mama and Christine. Thank you for always being there.