Description
Hearty French Onion Soup delights with caramelized onions swimming in rich, savory broth. Melted gruyère cheese crowns this classic French comfort dish, inviting you to savor each comforting spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6 large onions
- 8 cups stock
- 112 cups Gruyere cheese
- 8 slices French bread
Cooking Fats and Seasonings:
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon thyme
Liquid Enhancers:
- 12 cup dry wine/vermouth
- 2 tablespoons brandy (optional)
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Gently sauté thinly sliced onions in a blend of oil and butter over low heat, allowing them to gradually transform into a rich, golden-brown color, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Incorporate minced garlic and a touch of sugar, continuing to cook for approximately 15 minutes until onions become deeply caramelized and develop an intense, sweet flavor.
- Pour in white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom, then add beef or vegetable stock along with fragrant thyme and bay leaves.
- Simmer the soup uncovered for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify, creating a deeply complex and aromatic broth.
- While soup simmers, prepare crusty bread slices and generously top them with grated gruyère or swiss cheese.
- Place cheese-covered bread under the broiler at 450°F for 2-3 minutes until cheese melts and develops a bubbly, golden-brown crust.
- Carefully ladle the steaming hot soup into oven-safe ceramic bowls, crown each serving with the crispy, cheesy toast, and serve immediately to preserve the perfect temperature and texture.
Notes
- Patience is key when caramelizing onions; use low heat and stir occasionally to prevent burning and achieve deep golden color.
- Add a splash of balsamic vinegar during caramelization for extra depth and richness in flavor profile.
- For gluten-free version, use gluten-free bread and check stock ingredients to ensure complete dietary compatibility.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like Gruyère, Comté, or aged cheddar to create unique taste variations of the classic soup.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 255 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg