There is nothing more comforting on a cold day than a steamy bowl of delicious French onion soup. Especially when it's full of caramelized onions and topped off with a thick slice of toasted bread loaded with mouth-watering melted cheese.
There are two essential components of a great French onion soup.
The first is the stock. Your soup will only ever be as good as the stock that you're using. This soup is traditionally made with beef stock, though sometimes a decent beef stock can be hard to come by and pretty expensive to make. If you're using boxed stock, be sure to taste it first. If the taste isn't to your liking, simply don't use it. If you cook a lot of beef, save the scraps and freeze them to make a stock with later.
The second important element is properly caramelized onions. Caramelizing the amount of onions that are needed in this recipe will take around 40 minutes. Caramelizing is a chemical process that only occurs when the sugars in the onion reach a certain temperature. This will only happen after a long cooking time - the more caramelized, the deeper the color of the onions and the more flavor you will get.
French Onion Soup (Serves 4-6)
Ingredients
• 6 large red or yellow onions (about 3 pounds), peeled and thinly sliced root to stem - about 10 cups of sliced onions total
• 4 Tbsp Olive oil
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• Salt
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 cups of beef stock, chicken stock, or a combination of the two (traditionally the soup is made with beef stock)
• 1/2 cup of dry vermouth or dry white wine
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 teaspoons of fresh thyme (can also use a few sprigs of fresh thyme) OR 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 Tbsp brandy (optional)
• 8 inch-thick slices of French bread or baguette
• 1 1/2 cups of grated Swiss Gruyere and a sprinkling of Parmesan
Method
1. Caramelize the onions: In a 5 to 6 quart thick-bottomed pot, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil on medium heat. add the onions and toss to coat with the olive oil.
2. Cook the onions, occasionally stirring, until they have softened, about 15-20 minutes.
3. Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and the butter. Cook, stirring often, until the onions have started to brown, about 15 minutes more.
4. Sprinkle with sugar (to help with the caramelization) and then add 1 teaspoon of salt and continue to cook until the onions are well browned, around 10-15 minutes more.
5. Add the minced garlic and cook for a further minute.
6. Deglaze the pot with vermouth: Add the vermouth to the pot and scrape up the browned bits on the sides and bottoms of the pot, deglazing the pot as you go.
7. Add stock and seasonings: Add the stock, bay leaves, and thyme. Bring to a simmer, cover the pot and lower the heat so that you maintain a low simmer. Cook for about 30 minutes.
8. Season to taste with more salt and add freshly ground black pepper. Discard the bay leaves. Add brandy if you're using it.
9. Toast French bread slices: While your soup is simmering, line a sheet pan with foil and preheat the oven to 450°F with a rack on the upper third of the oven.
10. Brush both sides of the French bread or baguette slices lightly with olive oil.
11. Put in the oven and toast until lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the oven, turn the toasts over and sprinkle with the grated cheese. Return to the oven when it's close to serving time, and bake until the cheese is bubbling and light brown.
12. Ladle soup into a bowl and place one cheesy toast on top of each bowl to serve.
Source: simplyrecipes
This Delicious Thai Coconut Soup Is Heaven in a Bowl!
If you’re a fan of soups, then you’re going to love this fragrant and delicious Thai coconut soup.
This Pea Soup Recipe is One of the Best Around!
This recipe will show you how to make a delicious pot of pea soup.
Bring Moroccan Cuisine to Your Home With This Lamb Tagine
This is how you can make yourself a tasty lamb tagine from the comfort of your own home.
This Lentil Soup Really Is One of the Heartiest Around!
This recipe will show you how to make some hearty lentil soup.
This is How to Make the Perfect Home-Made Tortillas!
Here's how you can make yourself some tasty tortillas at home.
Improve Your Brunch with These Delicious Eggs Benedict!
This is how you can make a delicious Eggs Benedict at home. It's a lot easier than you have heard!
You Do Not Need Outdoor Space to Grow These Common Fruits
You do not need any outdoor space to grow these delicious, common fruits.
Why Did No One Tell Me That Beer Is So Amazing?
Did you know any of this stunning beer trivia? Frankly, I had no idea that beer was this amazing.
Eat These Foods for Breakfast If You're Diabetic
Breakfast is a very important meal of the day, even more so if you're diabetic. Here are 8 healthy breakfast options for those who suffer from diabetes.
How to Make Delicious Vegan Bolognese
Bolognese is a great comfort food. Most people think that you need to use meat to make a great Bolognese, but, as this recipe proves, this is not the case.
Avocados Are Incredibly Versatile, as These 6 Recipes Show
Avocados are more versatile than you ever imagined, and I'm sure these 6 recipes will make you want to include them in your diet from hereon.
Whet Your Appetite with These Delicious Salmon Fish Cakes
Fish cakes can be served as a starter or a main course, this recipe will teach you how to make delicious salmon fish cakes.
11 Unexpected Health Benefits of Drinking Whisky
If you thought whisky was nothing more than an alcoholic drink, you were mistaken. This video will detail the various health benefits you can reap by drinking whisky in moderation.
6 Delicious and Special Soup Recipes That’ll Warm Your Body
The cold winter days that stimulate the senses are perfect for trying these 6 simple, delicious, soul-warming soup recipes.
These 10 Superfoods Are Extremely Beneficial to Our Health
These 10 Superfoods are extremely good for you. Read on to find out what they are and how they are beneficial to our bodies.
This Spice Cheat-Sheet Gives the Full Delicious Picture
This spice chart allows you to maximize the taste of any meal.
Cook the Juiciest Chicken Breasts Ever With This Recipe
Chicken breasts are easy to cook, but they need to be cooked properly to be enjoyed. This recipe will ensure you cook the tastiest chicken breasts imaginable.
This Broccoli Soup Has Cancer-Fighting Properties
This creamy broccoli soup is not only delicious, but it also has cancer-fighting properties. Follow this recipe to learn how to make this tasty dish.
These Pies Are Truly a Feast for the Eyes and the Stomach!
If you love pies, then you absolutely need to check out these incredibly beautiful pie crusts, which are utter masterpieces.
This Cauliflower Casserole is Comfort Food at its Best
Learn how to make your next favorite casserole recipe, using cauliflower and cheese.
These Halloween Cupcakes Are Simply the Best!
Halloween is always a fun time of year, but it's about to become more delicious and more fun thanks to this gorgeous trio of cupcakes! Here's the recipe.
6 Mistakes We Make When Making Scrambled Eggs
If you want to make the perfect scrambled egg, follow these 6 simple tips.
Who Knew Salad Dressings Could Be So Healthy?
Who knew salad dressings could be so healthy and easy to make?
The KFC Secret Recipe Cat Is Out of the Bag - Here it Is
Colonel Sanders' nephew reveals the original secret recipe for Kentucky Fried Chicken.
13 Delicious Dishes You Can Make Using a Waffle Iron
I didn't think I could find so many ways to use a waffle iron to create delicious meals.
THIS is Why I Love Italian Cuisine!
What makes the Italian cuisine one of the best in the world? Watch and learn.
Love Ginger Ale? Maybe It's Time You Made Your Own...
2 easy to make recipes for organic ginger ale and ginger beer
9 Great Dressing Ideas to Freshen Up Your Salad
Hungry for some juicy salad dressing ideas to spice up your salad? These simple and healthy recipes are just what you need for inspiration!
I Could Eat This Yummy No-Oven Cake Every Day!
When a sweet tooth strikes, this is the dessert to make! No oven is needed.
These Home-Made Doughnuts Need Only 2 Ingredients!
Here's a donuts recipe that anyone can succeed with. Master these 2 ingredient donuts and you'll be able to make any kind of donut you wish!
GUIDE: Which Pasta Shape Works Best with Which Sauce?
Pasta shapes aren't just a matter of aesthetics, as different shapes lend themselves to different sauces. Here's what you need to know.
Make Delicious Meatloaf Using This Simple Recipe!
This recipe teaches you how to make the most tender, most delicious meatloaf that you have ever had.
5 Ancient Grains You Never Thought to Have for Breakfast
It’s no secret that one of the hardest things about cooking is deciding what to cook. We’re here to suggest 5 warm breakfasts you never thought of.
Make 8 Super-Simple Yet Healthy Treats
Discover how to transform simple ingredients into delicious, healthy snacks.
Cook a Traditional Czech Meal With These 5 Recipes
To enjoy the unique tastes of Czech cuisine, you no longer need to fly abroad. The following recipes will allow you to cook a traditional Czech meal yourself.
The Long History of the World’s Oldest Hot Beverage
While tea was invented in China, it has spread to all corners of the world, becoming a staple everywhere it was introduced.
6 Terrific Recipes That Can Be Made with Medicinal Herbs
Find out how mallow, nettles, mint, elderberry, fennel, and chives are dutifully incorporated into these 6 delicious recipes!
Around the World in 7 Delectable Egg Dishes...
Travel to different parts of the world in this video and discover 7 weird yet wonderful ways eggs are eaten around the world.
Consuming Too Much of These Healthy Foods Can Be Deadly
While they may appear to be healthy on the surface, you may be surprised to discover just how fatal these 6 foods can be.
Ancient Recipe Corner: Old Timey Festive Buttered Beer
Whip out your pewter pots for this medieval recipe! We'll be making buttered beer, with a non-alcoholic version included.
This Is How Long You Can Freeze These Foods For!
We all know that freezing food prevents it from rotting. Here's a complete guide to how long you can let different foods stay frozen until they go bad!
Incredibly Delicious and Easy-To-Make Chicken Dish
A simple recipe which will leave you with mouthwatering chicken every time.
These Delicious Baked Dishes Have Become Family Favorites
These three, heavenly baked dishes have become family favorites in my kitchen. I encourage you to try them out!
This Beef Stroganoff is the Ultimate Comfort Food
This recipe will show you how to make the ultimate comfort food - beef stroganoff.
What EVERYONE Should Know About Fruits and Veggies
Amazing facts you probably don't know about the best things we should all eat every day.
These Quick Snacks Are Proven To Be Healthy and Cheap
A video from John Hopkins University shows us that healthy food doesn't have to be a burden on your bank account or your watch. These easy and affordable snacks can help keep you moving.
The Perfectly Seared Steak: All You Need to Know
Now that its winter, our steak cooking options are fairly limited to the stove and oven, but this isn’t a bad thing...