French Country Soup Recipes

FRENCH COUNTRY SOUP

Steps:

• Melt 3 Tablespoons butter in a soup kettle.
• Add carrots, leeks, cabbage and celery.
• Saute over low heat, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes.
• Add salt, sugar, water and beef broth; bring to a boil.
• Add beans and potatoes.
• Cover, reduce heat and simmer 45 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
• Strain vegetables, reserving the liquid.
• With a food mill, blender or food processor, puree vegetables.
• Return cooking liquid and puree to the soup kettle, stir to combine and reheat.
• Season with salt and pepper if desired.
• Meanwhile, melt 2 Tablespoons butter in a skillet.
• Saute bread slices in butter, turning to saute both sides, until golden.
• Place one slice of bread into each of 6 soup bowls; cover with soup.
• Sprinkle with grated cheese.

CLASSIC FRENCH ONION SOUP

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add onion and season with salt. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often at first and then only occasionally, until onions are golden brown and caramelized, 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes.
• Add white wine and dry sherry and bring to a boil. Add flour and cook, stirring, until thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in broth and let simmer 10 minutes. Season with salt.
• Heat oven to broil. Place 4 broiler-safe bowls on a sheet tray and fill with soup. Top each with a slice of bread (trimming to fit, if necessary) and cheese, dividing evenly. Broil until cheese is golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve immediately.