Rich Savoury French Onion Soup
Cozy Up with a Bowl of Rich Savoury French Onion Soup
Is there anything more comforting than a warm bowl of French Onion Soup on a chilly evening? This isn’t just any soup; it’s a deeply flavourful, rich, and satisfying experience. Our recipe for Rich Savoury French Onion Soup takes a classic and elevates it to something truly special. Forget bland, watery onion soup – we’re talking about caramelized onions slowly cooked to golden perfection, a robust beef broth infused with red wine, and a generous topping of melted Gruyere cheese.
What makes this French Onion Soup so good? The key is patience. Properly caramelizing the onions is the foundation of this soup. It takes time, but the result is a depth of flavour you won’t find anywhere else. We also use a good quality beef broth and a splash of red wine to add complexity. And of course, the Gruyere cheese provides that perfect nutty, slightly sweet finish.
A little history: French Onion Soup, or soupe à l’oignon gratinée, has humble beginnings. It’s believed to have originated in the Parisian markets as a peasant dish, utilizing inexpensive ingredients like onions and broth. Over time, it evolved into the luxurious soup we know and love today, often served with a crusty bread and generous topping of cheese.
Serving Suggestions: This soup is fantastic as a starter, a light lunch, or even a comforting dinner. Pair it with a crisp salad and a glass of dry white wine for a complete meal. It’s also perfect for entertaining guests – the presentation is stunning, and the aroma will fill your kitchen with warmth.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What kind of onions should I use? Yellow onions are the best choice for French Onion Soup. They have a good balance of sweetness and flavour.
- Can I use a different cheese? Gruyere is traditional, but you can also use Emmental, Comté, or a combination of these cheeses.
- Can I make this soup ahead of time? Yes! You can make the soup base a day or two in advance. Just store it in the refrigerator and reheat before serving. Add the bread and cheese right before broiling.
- What if I don’t have red wine? You can substitute with dry sherry or a splash of balsamic vinegar, but the red wine adds a unique depth of flavour.
- How do I prevent the bread from getting soggy? Make sure the bread is toasted well before adding it to the soup. Also, broil the soup immediately after adding the bread and cheese.
Get ready to experience the ultimate comfort food! This Rich Savoury French Onion Soup is sure to become a family favourite.
Rich Savoury French Onion Soup
Ingredients
- 6 large yellow onions thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup butter or 1 butter stick
- 1 tsp white sugar
- 1 cup red wine such as a cabernet sauvignon
- 8 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 cups gruyere cheese grated
- 8 slices french bread thick
- 1 tbs garlic butter
- fresh parsley and thyme for garnish
Instructions
- Begin this recipe by caramelizing the onions. You do this by gathering a large dutch oven and melting over medium heat. Add the onions, and stir to coat them with the butter. Turn the heat down to low, and take a piece of tin foil, place it directly over the onions to keep the steam in. Check frequently and stir occasionally. Once the onion have softened and have begun to brown on the bottom, remove the foil. Sprinkle the sugar over the onions, stir. Stir frequently for approximately 10 minutes until the onions are a nice golden brown in color.
- Add the red wine to the onions. Stir until wine has reduced and evaporated.
- Add the beef broth, Worcestershire, salt and pepper. Stir. Cover, and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, brush each slice of bread with garlic butter on both sides. Put the bread in the oven under the broiler for about a minute. You want to toast them lightly. Once slightly brown, open oven, turn them over and toast the other side. Remove from oven.
- Ladle the hot soup into french onion soup bowls.
- Place one slice of toasted bread on top of each bowl.
- Top with grated gruyere cheese.
- Broil until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and thyme.
Share this:
Discover more from Resoupies
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
