Monday, October 24, 2011

French Onion Soup


French onion soup has always been a favorite of mine. It's the perfect dish for fall. Warm, comforting and rich.

When making this, you might feel like you're slicing an insane amount of onion. I use a 6-quart stockpot when preparing this recipe, and the onions nearly fill it to the top. However, a half hour of careful care and steady heat reduces them to just enough to cover the bottom of the pot. It's almost magic. I always make a point of cooking the onions a tad more than I think I should. Short of blasting the heat, it's hard to overdo the onions, but it's very easy to underdo them. No one wants crunchy onions in their soup. Trust me.

The biggest change I made to the original recipe was leaving out the red wine. I never have it on hand, and it's too expensive to justify buying just for soup. Plus, I don't like it. While the recipe calls for vidalia and red onion, feel free to use any jumbo yellow onion in their place (often the yellow onions are the cheapest).


FRENCH ONION SOUP

4 tbsp butter
1 tsp salt
2 large red onions, thinly sliced
2 large sweet onions, thinly sliced
3 15oz can chicken broth
1 15oz can beef broth
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 dried bay leaves
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
8oz swiss cheese, shredded
1 baguette, store bought or make your own

1. In a large stock pot, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add in the onions and salt. Cook the onions, stirring often, for about 30 minutes, or until your onions are caramelized, dark golden brown in color, and syrupy.

2. Pour into the chicken broth and beef broth into the stock pot. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce. Season with a bit of pepper (unless you used a low sodium broth, you probably don't need to add salt). Add in the bay leaves. Scrape the bottom of the pot to loosen up any caramelized bits. Cover the pot and simmer on medium for about 20 minutes.

3. Fish bay leaves from pot and stir in balsamic vinegar. Place a piece of baguette in each soup bowl (you can get 6-10 servings from this recipe). Ladle soup over bread and then top with some of the cheese. Heat bowls under the broiler until the cheese bubbles and browns. Wait a minute or two for bowl to cool down some before serving.

Source: allrecipes

This recipe is shared with Melt in Your Mouth Monday, Craft-O-Maniac, On the Menu Monday, Recipe Sharing Monday, Made by You Monday, Tuesday Talent Show, This Chick Cooks, Full Plate Thursday, It's a Keeper, Foodie Friday, Sweet Tooth Friday, Sweets for a Saturday

14 comments:

  1. Oooo, French Onion Soup is one of my favorite soups ever! Your photo makes me want some now. I am definitely going to have to make some soon!

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  2. It's been a while since I last had onion soup. I like this recipe. I'll bet the combination of beef and chicken stocks is a good one, and I like the addition of the balsamic vinegar. I'll try it!

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  3. It's such a fab soup for the cooler weather and packs a ton of flavor - love your recipe - it looks delicious
    mary x

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  4. We just made ham and bean soup last night! might have to try this french onion next. Thanks for sharing. I'm your newest follower!

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  5. This looks amazing! Printed it to try soon!

    Thanks for visiting me at A Season for All Things. I'm your newest follower and look forward to more terrific recipes. ~ Ellen

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  6. This recipe is making my mouth water! You have a really pretty blog - great pictures!! I'm a new follower!
    Jo-Anna

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  7. Yum, perfect timing, we have a cold front coming in!

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  8. You made that bowl just for me right? I looks delicious and I would sure enjoy it. Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday. Hope you have a great week end and come back soon!
    Miz Helen

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  9. I've never tried making French Onion Soup before, but this sounds delish, and easy! I'm hosting a weekly blog carnival specifically for soups, stocks and chowders, every Sunday. I would love it if you would come over and post this recipe. Here's a link with more info.

    http://easynaturalfood.com/2011/10/17/introducing-sunday-night-soup-night/

    I hope to see you there!
    Debbie

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  10. Mmmm, that looks good! I haven't had French Onion soup in sooo long. Thanks for sharing your recipe. Can't wait to try it.
    -Lynn

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  11. This is one soup I have never tried to make. Love French Onion Soup. Thanks for sharing this recipe. Pat

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  12. For someone who likes French onion soup, I have never made it. Maybe you've given me the incentive. It has the right taste/smell for this time of year.

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  13. French Onion Soup~ a true classic. You pictures look fabulous! YUMMY!
    Yvonne

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  14. I love this! I feel like this is a recipe that i can do! I found you through skiptomylou and would love for my readers to meet you! Please share this at my Meet Me Monday linky party! They would love to meet you. I am trying your recipe either way! Love, Me www.youaretalkingtoomuch.com

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