FOODIE FRIDAY RECIPE - FRENCH ONION SOUP

Classic French Onion Soup

[gratinee]

Messieurs et mesdames accueillir. Aujourd'hui nous cuisinons la soupe d'oignon. Welcome ladies and gentlemen.  Today we are cooking onion soup.

This is my personal adaptation of the French classic.  Simmered slowly, topped with cheese and baked.  The aroma of the onions, the look of strings of melted cheese from bowl to mouth and the incredibly rich taste transport me back to 1970.  

I was 10 years old when my mother [the French teacher] brought me to Paris for the first time.  I lived on onion soup, croque madame and stuffed artichokes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  

  

Ingredients:

4 cups white onions, peeled and thinly sliced

2 shallots, peeled and thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic, smashed

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons olive oil

4 bay leaves

1 teaspoon herbs de province

6 cups beef stock

2 cups chicken stock

1/4 cup dry sherry

1/2 tablespoon flour

1 cup shredded gruyere cheese

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 loaf French bread

2 teaspoons salt [to taste]

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Method:

In a heavy 4 or 6 quart sauce pan heat the butter and oil over medium-low heat until bubbly and then add the onions, shallots and garlic. Sprinkle with the salt as this helps to break down the onions. Sautee slowly while frequently stirring until soft textured and nut-colored.  This is a long process. Allow a good 15 minutes for the onions to develop their richness and caramelize but be careful not to let them burn.  If they seem to dry during the process you can add more oil or butter as necessary.

When the onions have reached their desired stage, remove the pan from the heat and sprinkle with the flour, stirring well.  Add the liquids and return to the stove.  Stir well to remove any particles from the bottom of the pan.  Add the herbs.  Bring to a simmer over medium heat and then lower just to the simmer temperature.  Cover and simmer for 40 minutes.

While the soup is simmering, slice the bread into 1/2 inch slices and place the slices on a baking sheet and bake in a pre-heated 400* oven for 10 minutes or until lightly toasted.  Be careful not to burn the bread!  

While the bread is in the oven, it is time to shred and grate your cheeses and then mix them together.  Gruyere is recommended but you can substitute  mozzarella or even Monterrey Jack. When the bread is toasted, remove from the oven, raise the oven temperature to 425* and allow to heat to temperature.

Prepare oven-safe bowls such as ramekins by spraying with cooking   spray and place them on a cookie sheet lined with foil.  Remove the bay leaves from the soup and ladle the soup into the bowls 3/4 full.  Lay 2 or 3 pieces of the toast onto each of the filled soup bowls and then generously cover each with the cheese mixture.  

Bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling and slightly browned.

Place the soup bowls on serving plates and serve with the remaining toasted bread and additional grated Parmesan cheese.  Be sure to let the soup cool for a few minutes before enjoying or you are sure to scorch the inside of your mouth!

BONUS RECIPES

With the arrival of the lenten season I have gotten requests for more meat-free recipes so for the next few weeks I will be posting extra lenten-friendly recipes in addition to the usual Foodie Friday posts.

So simple Tuscan Peasant Bean Soup

This was a staple Friday dinner in my house when I was growing up. It was usually served as a first course followed by a Frittata [omelette]and salad.  It's a flavorful favorite of mine.  I like it to be rustic but you can puree it if you prefer a fancier presentation.

Note that this is NOT a date-night dinner!

Ingredients:

2 quarts water

2 twelve ounce cans white kidney beans

6 ribs celery diced

6 cloves or 1 head garlic minced

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon dried oregano

2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

red pepper flakes to taste

1/2 pound small pasta -ditalini, elbow or similar

loaf of very good Italian bread

Method:

You're not going to believe how easy this is to prepare and how delightful to eat.

In a 5 quart pot add all the ingredients except the red pepper, pasta and bread.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.  

While the soup is cooking prepare the pasta according to package instructions.

Drain the pasta and add to the cooked soup.  Taste to correct salt and pepper.  Serve in large bowls topped off with a drizzle of olive oil.  Red pepper flakes and bread at the table.

Enjoy!