Famous Dave's Wild Rice Soup

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
• 3 cups cooked wild rice (1/2 cup or 8oz dry)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup finely chopped celery
• 1 cup diagonally sliced carrot
• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/3 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
• 1/3 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
• 2 cups frozen corn, thawed (white or yellow)
• 2 cups sliced mushrooms
• 1 medium finely chopped jalapeno pepper
• 1/2 cup butter, plus
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup flour
• 16 cups chicken broth (1 gallon)
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup slivered almond, toasted (6oz)

Directions

1. 1

   Heat 2 tbsp chicken fat or butter in a large sauté pan set over medium heat until hot.

2. 2

   Increase heat to medium-high and add celery, carrot, onion, green pepper and red pepper.

3. 3

   Cook until onion is tender.

4. 4

   Stir in corn, mushrooms and jalapeno.

5. 5

   Cook until mushrooms begin to turn golden brown and shiny wet, stirring frequently.

6. 6

   Remove from heat.

7. 7

   Bring broth to boil in an 8-quart stock pot.

8. 8

   While broth is heating up, heat 1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp butter in a skillet set over medium heat until hot; stir in flour.

9. 9

   Cook over low heat 2 minutes stirring constantly — do not brown.

10. 10

    Stir butter and flour mixture into broth. Simmer until slightly thickened, whisking to prevent lumps.

11. 11

    Stir in cooked vegetables, parsley, salt, black pepper, white pepper, nutmeg and cayenne.

12. 12

    Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally.

13. 13

    Add chicken, rice and whipping cream.

14. 14

    Cook just until heated through.

15. 15

    Serve topped with toasted almonds.