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french onion soup

French Onion Soup

Abhipriya Raghav
Perfectly caramelized onions simmered in broth and wine, flavored with mild spices and topped with cheesy bread pieces.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Appetizer, Soup
Cuisine French
Servings 4 bowls

Ingredients
  

  • 4 medium yellow onions, sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp all purpose flour
  • ¼ cup dry white wine
  • 4 cups beef / chicken / vegetable broth
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried thyme)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • salt, as per taste
  • ground black pepper, as per taste
  • baguette / croutons
  • grated cheese (gruyere or mozzarella)

Instructions
 

  • Slice all onions ¼" thick.
    french onion soup
  • In a pan on low heat, add 2 tbsp butter and let it melt.
    french onion soup
  • Add the sliced onions and saute it on low heat. Keep stirring once in 3 minutes for the first few minutes and then about once a minute until the end. It takes about 30 minutes for the onions to be golden brown in color and caramelized.
    french onion soup
  • Add garlic and saute for a minute.
    french onion soup
  • Add the flour and stir for another minute.
    french onion soup
  • Add the wine and stir to deglaze the pan.
    french onion soup
  • Add the beef / chicken / vegetable stock and stir to combine.
    french onion soup
  • Add worcestershire and stir well.
    french onion soup
  • Add bay leaf and fresh sprigs or dried thyme. Cook the soup uncovered until it boils. When it starts to boil, simmer for 10-15 minutes.
    french onion soup
  • Discard the bay leaf and the sprigs of thyme. Add salt and pepper as required.
    french onion soup
  • Meanwhile, slice the baguette into thick pieces and toast them in a tawa or in a pre-heated oven until golden.
    french onion soup
  • Add grated cheese and cover and cook until the cheese melts.
    french onion soup
  • Ladle the soup into serving bowls and top with the cheesy toasted baguette slice.
    french onion soup

Notes

  • Yellow onions are best for the recipe. But you can substitute with white or even red onions if yellow ones are not available.
  • Do not saute the onions on high heat. This will only burn the onions and not caramelize them.
  • Stir in between to make sure the onion does not burn.
  • Butter gives the original French taste. Do not replace it.
  • You can use white wine / red wine / sherry or even cognac. Or substitute with a bit of white wine vinegar too, to make it alcohol-free.
  • To toast the baguette slices, you can toast them in a pre-heated oven until golden or even on a tawa.
  • If using oven, then ladle the soup into microwave safe soup bowls, place a toasted baguette slice and top with grated cheese and broil until cheese is melted and golden spots appear.
Keyword appetizer, butter, french, french onion soup, onion soup, soup, thanksgiving