French Onion Soup is a classic and flavorful dish that originates from France. It’s a hearty soup made primarily from onions that are caramelized to bring out their natural sweetness and depth of flavor. Here’s a basic recipe for making French Onion Soup:
Ingredients:
- 4 large onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, helps with caramelization)
- 4 cups beef or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Baguette slices or French bread, toasted
- Gruyere or Swiss cheese, grated
Instructions:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter and olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for about 30-40 minutes, or until the onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown. If using sugar, add it about halfway through to help with caramelization.
- Once the onions are caramelized, add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in the white wine and cook for a few minutes to allow the alcohol to evaporate and the flavors to meld.
- Add the beef or vegetable broth to the pot, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the soup to a simmer and let it cook for about 20-30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
- While the soup is simmering, prepare the toasted baguette slices. You can either toast them in the oven or in a toaster until they’re golden and crispy.
- Preheat your oven’s broiler.
- Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls. Place a few slices of toasted baguette on top of each bowl of soup.
- Sprinkle a generous amount of grated Gruyere or Swiss cheese over the bread slices.
- Place the bowls under the broiler until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and slightly browned on top.
- Carefully remove the bowls from the oven using oven mitts, as they will be hot.
- Allow the soup to cool for a minute or two before serving, as it will be very hot.
- Serve the French Onion Soup hot and enjoy!
French Onion Soup is a delightful and comforting dish, perfect for colder weather or when you’re in the mood for a rich and savory soup. The combination of caramelized onions, flavorful broth, and melted cheese on top makes it a classic favorite.
