Indulge in the timeless classic of French cuisine, the authentic French onion soup. This savory and comforting soup has captivated hearts for centuries with its rich, caramelized onions, flavorful broth, and a golden-brown crusty bread topped with melted cheese. Prepare to embark on a culinary journey as we delve into the depths of this iconic dish, exploring its origins, variations, and the secrets to creating the perfect bowl of French onion soup. Along the way, we'll uncover two enticing recipes: a traditional French onion soup that honors the classic flavors and a modern take with a touch of white wine and a hint of thyme. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook seeking culinary inspiration, this comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and techniques to craft an unforgettable French onion soup experience. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your palate, and let's embark on this delectable adventure together.
Let's cook with our recipes!
AUTHENTIC FRENCH ONION SOUP COURTESY OF JULIA CHILD
There are a lot of French Onion Soup recipes on Zaar, but I think that this very authentic version deserves a place on the list. After making many of the existing recipes with success, I wrote down this recipe while watching Julia Child in a very old episode of "The French Chef". It takes a little longer, but the time is very well spent. It is also more detailed than others and includes fool-proof instructions for properly browning onions as well as many extra add-ins. Don't be put off by the long list of ingredients. The sage, wine, raw onion, and cognac are optional, but they contribute a lot, so use what you have. The result is an out-of-this-world onion soup with an amazing depth of flavor. You can make this even days ahead of time and then add the toasted bread ("croutes" as Julia calls them) and cheese and bake it the day of. This can be made vegetarian by using a beefy-flavored veg broth such as Better than Bullion Beefless broth instead of beef stock. Try it and love it! Enjoy!
Provided by Anita de la Costa
Categories European
Time 2h
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Place heavy bottom stock pot or dutch over over medium-low heat.
- Add 1 Tbs cooking oil, 2Tbs butter to pot.
- Add sliced onions and stir until they are evenly coated with the oil.
- Cover and cook for about 20 minutes until they are very tender and translucent.
- To brown or caramelize the onions turn heat under pot to medium or medium high heat.
- Add 1/2 tsp sugar and 1 tsp salt and continue to cook uncovered, stirring frequently until the onions have browned and reduced significantly.
- Once caramelized, reduce heat to medium-low and add 3 Tbs flour to the onions.
- Brown the flour for about 2-3 minutes trying not to scorch it. (If the flour does not form a thick paste, you can add a bit more butter here).
- Stir in about 1 cup of warm stock, scraping the bottom of the pan to get up all of the cooked-on bits.
- Add the rest of the stock, wine to the soup.
- Simmer for 30 minutes.
- To make the "croutes" (toasted bread), heat oven to 325 degrees F.
- Drizzle each side of the bread slices with a bit of olive oil and place on baking sheet.
- Cook the croutes for 15 minutes in oven on each side (30 minutes total).
- Check the soup for seasoning and add salt and pepper if needed.
- Transfer to a casserole dish.
- At this point you can add the 2-3 Tbs cognac and grate the 1/2 raw onion into the soup.
- Add a few ounces of the swiss cheese directly into the soup and stir.
- Place the toasted bread in a single layer on top of the soup.
- Sprinkle the rest of the cheese in a thick layer on top of the bread making sure to cover the edges of the toast to prevent burning.
- Drizzle with a little oil or melted butter.
- Place in a 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes.
- Turn on broiler and brown cheese well.
- Let cool for a few minutes.
- Bon Apetit!
AUTHENTIC SOUPE À LOIGNON GRATINEÉ (FRENCH ONION SOUP)
Steps:
- Grate the cheese and put it in the refrigerator in a small bowl. Get out your oven-safe bowls and set them on a cookie sheet. Evenly slice the onions into slices, and then cut the slices in half. Separate the segments with your hands. Put the butter in the pan and turn up the heat to high. Once the butter has been melted, add the onions (use a large pot). Turn the heat down to medium. Add a pinch of salt (about 1/8 of a teaspoon) Add about 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, and half of the Thyme leaves to the pan. Continue to stir often (not continuously, but often), until the onions resemble a dark brownish color. Add wine and simmer for a few seconds. Add the beef stock and 1 more teaspoon fresh pepper. Cover and simmer on low for 30 minutes or so. Taste the soup and add wine and beef stock as needed. Taste again and add salt if needed; it should have a balanced flavor. While the soup is simmering, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Put the cookie sheet with the baguette slices in the oven and brown them until they are nice and crisp like croutons. They should be a deep golden brown color; just make sure you don't burn them. This should take no more than 10 minutes. Stay at the oven and check them as they will brown quickly. Get out your oven-safe bowls and set them on a cookie sheet. At the bottom of each bowl, place croutons to cover the bottom. Put a light sprinkle of cheese over them. Ladle about 1 ½ ladles full of soup into the bowls on top of the croutons and cheese. Put more croutons on top of the soup, and then generously cover the whole bowl with the Gruyere cheese. You can add as much as you like. Also dangle some cheese over the rim of the bowls. Put in the oven for about 20 to 25 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling and light brown. Remove from the oven carefully (with oven mits) and let cool. The bowls will be very hot. Sprinkle some whole Thyme leaves on top of the soup. Pat yourself on the back and Bon Appetit!
AUTHENTIC FRENCH ONION SOUP COURTESY OF JULIA CHILD
Steps:
- Place heavy bottom stock pot or dutch over over medium-low heat. 2 Add 1 Tbs cooking oil, 2Tbs butter to pot. 3 Add sliced onions and stir until they are evenly coated with the oil. 4 Cover and cook for about 20 minutes until they are very tender and translucent. 5 To brown or caramelize the onions turn heat under pot to medium or medium high heat. 6 Add 1/2 tsp sugar and 1 tsp salt and continue to cook uncovered, stirring frequently until the onions have browned and reduced significantly. 7 Once caramelized, reduce heat to medium-low and add 3 Tbs flour to the onions. 8 Brown the flour for about 2-3 minutes trying not to scorch it. (If the flour does not form a thick paste, you can add a bit more butter here). 9 Stir in about 1 cup of warm stock, scraping the bottom of the pan to get up all of the cooked-on bits. 10 Add the rest of the stock, wine, sage, and bay leaf to the soup. 11 Simmer for 30 minutes. 12 To make the "croutes" (toasted bread), heat oven to 325 degrees F. 13 Drizzle each side of the bread slices with a bit of olive oil and place on baking sheet. 14 Cook the croutes for 15 minutes in oven on each side (30 minutes total). 15 Check the soup for seasoning and add salt and pepper if needed. 16 Remove the bay leaf (if you can find it). 17 Transfer to a casserole dish. 18 At this point you can add the 2-3 Tbs cognac and grate the 1/2 raw onion into the soup. 19 Add a few ounces of the swiss cheese directly into the soup and stir. 20 Place the toasted bread in a single layer on top of the soup. 21 Sprinkle the rest of the cheese in a thick layer on top of the bread making sure to cover the edges of the toast to prevent burning. 22 Drizzle with a little oil or melted butter. 23 Place in a 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes. 24 Turn on broiler and brown cheese well. 25 Let cool for a few minutes.
FRENCH ONION SOUP - AUTHENTIC RECIPE FROM STEVE ROSS RECIPE - (4.4/5)
Provided by [email protected]
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Place a thick-bottomed 4-quart pot over medium heat and add olive oil (or unsalted butter). Add onions and 1 teaspoon sea salt. Mix onions with oil (or butter) and salt, stirring until onions wilt. Turn heat to low and cook, stirring frequently until onions are a deep golden brown, approximately 30 to 40 minutes. Do not let tips of slices burn. Add white wine and boil down until it is nearly evaporated. Add beef broth and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Then turn down to low and simmer partially covered for 45 minutes. While soup is simmering, place bread slices on a sheet and place into a preheated 325-335°F oven until toasted golden brown. To serve, preheat oven to 350°F. Taste the broth and add salt and pepper to taste (little or no added salt may be necessary if canned broth was used). Add the 1/4 cup of Courvoisier Cognac. Ladle soup into oven-proof bowels. Place a slice of bread into each bowl and divide the cheese among the bowls. Place a sheet pan into the oven and place soup bowls into pan. Bake until bubbling and cheese is slightly browned (20 to 30 minutes)
Tips:
- Use a variety of onions: Yellow, white, and red onions all add different flavors to the soup.
- Caramelize the onions slowly and patiently: This step takes time, but it's essential for developing the soup's rich flavor.
- Use a good quality beef broth: This is the base of the soup, so it's important to use a broth that is flavorful and well-seasoned.
- Add a splash of white wine: This adds a bit of acidity and complexity to the soup.
- Use a good quality cheese: Gruyère and Swiss are both good choices for French onion soup.
- Serve the soup hot and bubbly: This is the best way to enjoy its full flavor.
Conclusion:
French onion soup is a classic French dish that is perfect for a cold winter day. It's hearty, flavorful, and easy to make. With a few simple tips, you can make a delicious French onion soup that your family and friends will love.
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