French Onion Soup With An Italian Attitude Recipes

FRENCH ONION SOUP

Steps:

• Melt the stick of butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, and salt and pepper and cook until the onions are very soft and caramelized, about 25 minutes. Add the wine, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until the wine has evaporated and the onions are dry, about 5 minutes. Discard the bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Dust the onions with the flour and give them a stir. Turn the heat down to medium low so the flour doesn't burn, and cook for 10 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. Now add the beef broth, bring the soup back to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
• When you're ready to eat, preheat the broiler. Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet in a single layer. Sprinkle the slices with the Gruyere and broil until bubbly and golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Ladle the soup in bowls and float several of the Gruyere croutons on top.
• Alternative method: Ladle the soup into bowls, top each with 2 slices of bread and top with cheese. Put the bowls into the oven to toast the bread and melt the cheese.

FRENCH ONION SOUP

Steps:

• Melt the butter with the olive oil in a large heavy-based pan. Add the onions and fry with the lid on for 10 mins until soft.
• Sprinkle in the sugar and cook for 20 mins more, stirring frequently, until caramelised. The onions should be really golden, full of flavour and soft when pinched between your fingers. Take care towards the end to ensure that they don't burn.
• Add the garlic cloves for the final few minutes of the onions' cooking time, then sprinkle in the plain flour and stir well.
• Increase the heat and keep stirring as you gradually add the wine, followed by the beef stock. Cover and simmer for 15-20 mins.
• To serve, turn on the grill, and toast the bread. Ladle the soup into heatproof bowls.
• Put a slice or two of toast on top of the bowls of soup, and pile on the gruyère. Grill until melted. Alternatively, you can cook the toasts under the grill, then add them to the soup to serve.

FRENCH ONION SOUP WITH AN ITALIAN ATTITUDE

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler to high.
• Heat a large deep pot over medium to med-high heat; add in olive oil and butter.
• When the butter melts, start adding the onions as you slice them.
• Season with salt, pepper, and rosemary.
• Cook the onions 15-18 minutes, until tender, sweet, and caramel colored, stirring often.
• If you find the onions are burning in spots before browning all over, add a splash of water and stir now and then, scraping the bottom of the pot.
• While the onions are cooking, make the topping: in a small bowl, combine the grape tomatoes, basil, grated cheese, salt, and pepper.
• Under the broiler or toaster oven, toast the crusty bread until golden; rub each side of the toast with the crushed garlic clove.
• Once the onions are done, add the balsamic vinegar and white wine, stirring up all the brown bits from the bottom of the pot.
• Add in the stock; cover to bring to a quick boil.
• Arrange 4 small, deep soup bowls or crocks on a cookie sheet.
• Once the soup reaches a boil, ladle it into the bowls.
• Float a toasted bread slice on each serving and cover each toast with a mound of grape tomato mixture.
• Top with 2 slices of the mozzarella cheese.
• Slide the cookie sheet under the hot broiler until the cheese melts and bubbles.

CLASSIC FRENCH ONION SOUP

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons oil and butter over medium heat. Add onions; cook and stir until softened, 10-13 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring occasionally, until deep golden brown, 30-40 minutes. Add minced garlic; cook 2 minutes longer., Stir in wine. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced by half. Add broth, pepper and salt; return to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour. , Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400°. Place baguette slices on a baking sheet; brush both sides with remaining 3 tablespoons oil. Bake until toasted, 3-5 minutes on each side. Rub toasts with halved garlic. , To serve, place twelve 8-oz. broiler-safe bowls or ramekins on baking sheets; place 2 toasts in each. Ladle with soup; top with cheese. Broil 4 in. from heat until cheese is melted.