Comfort Soup for the Soul: Crave’s Onion Soup

Is there anything more comforting on a chilly day than a hot bowl of French onion soup? Especially with a thick slice of toasted bread loaded with melty Gruyere cheese and lots of caramelized onion. Mmm! Try Crave’s recipe. onion soup

The best cheese to use for French onion soup

Gruyere and Parmesan are the classics for French onion soup. However, if you don’t have them, try these alternatives.

• Gouda
• Swiss
• Fontina
• Mozzarella

SERVINGS 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 6 large onions, peeled and thinly sliced root to stem (about 10 cups of sliced onions total)
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• salt
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 cups chicken stock
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 8 slices (1 inch thick) French bread or baguette
• 1 1/2 cups grated Gruyere
• Sprinkling of Parmesan

Preparation:

1. Caramelize the onions: In a 5 to 6 quart thick-bottomed pot, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil on medium heat. Add the onions and toss to coat with the olive oil. Cook the onions, stirring often, until they have softened, about 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Increase the heat to medium high. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and the butter and cook, stirring often, until the onions start to brown, about 15 more minutes. Sprinkle with sugar (to help with the caramelization) and 1 teaspoon of salt. Continue to cook until the onions are well browned, about 10 to 15 more minutes.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for a minute more.
4. Add the stock and thyme, cover the pot and lower the heat to maintain a low simmer. Cook for about 30 minutes.
5. Season to taste with more salt and add freshly ground black pepper.
6. Toast the French bread slices: While the soup is simmering, line a sheet pan with parchment paper or foil and preheat the oven to 450°F with a rack in the upper third of the oven. onion soup
7. Brush both sides of the French bread or baguette slices lightly with olive oil (you’ll end up using about a tablespoon and a half of olive oil for this).
8. Put in the oven and toast until lightly browned, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from oven.
9. Turn the bread over and sprinkle with the grated Gruyere cheese and Parmesan. Return to oven when it’s close to serving time and bake until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
10. To serve, ladle soup into a bowl and transfer one cheesy toast onto the top of each bowl of soup. onion soup

Alternatively, you can use individual oven-proof bowls or one large casserole dish. Ladle the soup into the bowls or casserole dish. Cover with the toast and sprinkle with cheese. Put into the broiler for 10 minutes at 350° F, or until the cheese bubbles and is slightly browned. onion soup

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