Asparagus Soup with Hazelnuts and Cholula - Beecher's Handmade Cheese

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts
• 3 small russet potatoes, peeled & chopped
• 1 large leek, chopped
• 1-1/2 quarts low sodium chicken stock
• Large bunch of asparagus
• Medium bulb of fennel
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt to taste
• Freshly ground back pepper to taste
• 1/2 bunch spinach
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 ounces Beecher’s Just Jack cheese, shredded (about 1/2 cup) Substitutions: Beecher’s Dulcet cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon ground fennel
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon chile powder
• 1/2 teaspoon crumbled rosemary
• Your favorite hot sauce