Spicy Carrot Soup

Spicy Carrot Soup (this recipe is awesome)

Ingredients:

• 7 to 10 medium-sized carrots (peeled and sliced into discs)
• 1 small white onion or 1/2 of a large white onion (diced)
  
• 1 can of diced tomatoes (of fresh tomatoes if you have)
• 1 can of vegetable broth
• 1 can of Budweiser
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1 to 2 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil ("EVOO" if you're a dork like Rachael Ray)
  
• 1 tablespoon of parsley
• 1 to 2 teaspoons of basil
  
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder (more if you like garlic)
• 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoons of freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
  
• 1 tablespoon of kosher salt (or to taste)
• 1 cup of milk (I used Soy, but 1%, 2%, whole, heavy cream -- whatever you want)
• 4 Serrano Chilis, chopped (add about 237 extra if you are my sister)
• A few pinches of chili flakes
  
• 1 or 2 bay leaves
  
• Freshly grated parmesian cheese (optional)

Directions:

1. Pour vegetable broth, Budweiser, and water into a 6qt. stock pot.
2. Add carrots, onions and bay leaves to the pot.
3. Heat to boil, reduce heat to medium and continue to heat until carrots are soft enough to puree.
4. Reduce heat to low, and scoop carrots and onions out with a slotted spoon and place into a blender (be careful not to scoop out the bay leaves..
   
5. Puree carrots and onions until you have a smooth velvety texture. Pour back into stock pot.
6. Turn heat back to high, and while you're waiting for the liquid to return to boil, puree the can of diced tomatoes in the blender until you have a texture similar to the carrot/onion minture.
7. Add tomatoes to pot, along with parsley, basil, garlic powder, cayenne powder, black pepper, and salt.
8. Add the milk and olive oil and stir until everything is thoroughly mixed.
9. Add the serrano chilis and chili flakes.
   
10. Leave the soup on high heat for a few minutes, then reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 20 to 30 minutes.
11. Remove lid and let cook meduim low heat for a few minutes before serving.
12. Garnish with some freshly grated parmesian cheese (extra parsley or basil if you want).
13. Say a prayer.
14. Eat and Enjoy.

If you try this recipe, let me know what you think. It's a "LousyCook" Original.