Delicious Onion Soup is a culinary masterpiece that will steal the spotlight at any dinner table, captivating your guests with its rich aroma and irresistible flavor. This savory delight is perfect for those cozy gatherings where comfort food reigns supreme, and its preparation is as enjoyable as its consumption. With just a few simple ingredients and a bit of love, you’ll create a dish that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
Preparation Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 2 large onions
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup dry white wine
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 6 slices of baguette
- Gruyere cheese, sliced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
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Prepare Soup Crocks: Start by preparing 6 oven-proof soup crocks. These will be the vessels for your delicious onion soup, so ensure they are clean and ready for serving.
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Caramelize Onions: In a heavy pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add in the sliced onions, sugar, dried thyme, bay leaf, and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are a deep golden brown. This process may take around 25 minutes, and you may need to caramelize the onions in two batches to ensure they brown evenly and develop that rich, sweet flavor.
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Incorporate Flour: Once the onions are caramelized to perfection, add in the all-purpose flour. Stir well and cook for an additional minute, allowing the flour to blend with the onions and butter, creating a roux that will thicken the soup.
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Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the dry white wine and stir continuously for about a minute. This step will deglaze the pot, lifting any flavorful browned bits from the bottom and infusing the soup with a subtle depth of flavor.
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Add Broth and Simmer: Now, add the beef broth, water, and black pepper to the pot. Stir everything together and bring the soup to a gentle simmer. Let it cook uncovered for approximately 30-35 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the soup to reduce slightly, intensifying its taste.
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Toast Baguette Slices: While the soup is simmering, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet. Toast them in the oven, turning once, until they are completely dry, which should take about 15 minutes. Once toasted, set your oven to broil for the next step.
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Assemble Soup Crocks: Place the prepared soup crocks on a shallow baking dish. Remove the bay leaf from the broth, then carefully ladle the hot soup into each crock, dividing it evenly among them.
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Add Bread and Cheese: Now, place a slice of the toasted baguette on top of the soup in each crock, ensuring not to push the bread down into the soup. Next, layer slices of Gruyere cheese over the bread, allowing the ends to hang over the rims of the crocks. Finally, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the Gruyere slices, adding an extra layer of cheesy goodness.
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Broil Until Golden: Place the assembled soup crocks under the broiler, about 4-5 inches away from the heat source. Keep a close eye on them and broil for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the tops are golden brown and irresistible.
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Serve and Enjoy: Once the cheese is perfectly melted and the soup is bubbling with flavor, carefully remove the crocks from the oven. Allow them to cool for a moment before serving, as the soup will be piping hot. Garnish with a sprig of fresh thyme or a sprinkle of black pepper if desired, then dive in and savor every spoonful of this delectable onion soup.
This recipe is a true crowd-pleaser, guaranteed to earn you rave reviews and requests for seconds. So, gather your ingredients, set aside some time to savor the cooking process, and get ready to impress your guests with this unforgettable onion soup experience. Whether enjoyed as a starter or the main event, this dish is sure to warm hearts and bellies alike with its comforting, soul-nourishing goodness.
