French Onion Soup

One of the things I enjoy most on a cold day is soup and French Onion Soup is one of the many fav’s for dinner.  However as much as I’d like to eat it daily I certainly have to stop myself because although it’s not hugely caloric it certainly can be with my guilty pleasure of cheese.

Preparation time: 15 minutes (I use the food processor or mandolin for ease and speed)

Also I make my soup in bulk and freeze it; hence more then the required ingredients in the photo below.   I freeze it just as the onion soup, prior to the oven process.

  Cooking time: 55 minutes

 Ingredients:

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  • 1 1/2 tsp olive oil or 2 tbsp butter
  • 4 lg yellow onions (sliced thin)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp dry mustard
  • 2 dashes thyme
  • 4 cups water
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • Dash pepper
  • 1 cup Vegetable or beef broth broth
  • 1/8 tsp Nutmeg
  • Flour (optional)
  • Swiss or mozzarella cheese (shred it you’ll use less 😉 )
  • Croutons or rusk
  • Parmesan cheese

  Directions:

1)  In a large pot (dutch oven) heat the oil over medium heat; add onions, 1 tbsp water and thyme.  Cover and cook about 15 minutes stirring occasionally.

2)  Uncover and reduce to medium-low and cook until onions are golden brown.

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3)  Add the garlic and saute for 2 minutes.  (Here’s where the flour comes in if you so choose; I no longer add it and it turns out fine.)   Add the flour and cook on  medium heat stirring for 2 minutes.

4) Stir in the broth, nutmeg, pepper, soy, water and dry mustard.  Bring to a boil and if you have have used the flour you’ll need to skim off the foam that will surface.

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5)  Reduce the heat to low and cover to simmer for about 30 minutes.

6)  Preheat the oven/broiler.

7)  On a baking sheet place 4 cooking proof bowls and spoon soup into bowls

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8)  Place croutons, rusk or toast on top and grate or lay Mozza or Swiss cheese on top , finishing off with Parmesan.

9)  Broil until thee cheese bubbles and browns.  (Needless to say you don’t require a lid, I had mine out in the picture…sorry 😉 )

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Cooking tips:

*  Homemade croutons – saute cubed bread (French bread works great!) in butter for about 10minutes and then toast them at 300 degrees Fahrenheit until golden and crisp.

*  Caramelize Onion:  Cook them slowly in oil until golden and this brings out the fullest onion taste.

Let me know how you make out and enjoy!!

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