Amy’s Favorite French Onion Soup
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Description: Dive into a bowl of comfort with Amy’s Favorite French Onion Soup, inspired by Napa Style’s Home-Style Onion Soup. This hearty and savory delight is enriched with the sweetness of caramelized onions, aromatic sage, and topped with melting Gruyère cheese. Perfectly paired with freshly made rosemary croutons, this soup is a true treat for the senses, ideal for a cozy dinner or an elegant starter.
Recipe Category: Clear Soup
Keywords: Onions, Vegetable, European, Savory, Under 60 Minutes, Inexpensive
Ingredients:
- 1-2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage leaves, chopped
- 4 cups beef or vegetable stock
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 4 cups croutons (preferably rosemary-flavored)
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese, grated
Instructions:
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Heat the Oil: Begin by heating the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Allow the oil to shimmer before proceeding.
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Cook the Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook briefly, just until fragrant. This step should take about 1 minute. Be careful not to let the garlic brown too much, as it can become bitter.
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Sauté the Onions: Add the thinly sliced yellow onions and a dash of kosher salt to the skillet. Stir well to coat the onions with the oil and garlic. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, for about 7 minutes.
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Caramelize the Onions: Reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking the onions, stirring occasionally, until they turn a rich golden brown. This process should take approximately 25 minutes. The onions will become soft and deeply caramelized, adding a wonderful sweetness to the soup.
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Add Sage and Vinegar: Stir in the chopped fresh sage and balsamic vinegar. Cook until the liquid has mostly evaporated, which should take about 2 minutes. This step will help deepen the flavors of the onions.
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Incorporate the Stock: Pour in the beef or vegetable stock, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 10 minutes. The soup will be enriched with the savory flavors of the caramelized onions and sage.
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Prepare for Broiling: Preheat your broiler to high. Ladle the hot soup into four flameproof serving dishes.
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Top and Broil: Arrange the croutons evenly over the surface of each bowl of soup, then sprinkle generously with grated Gruyère cheese. Place the dishes under the broiler and cook until the cheese is melted and bubbly, which should take about 2-3 minutes. Keep a close eye on the soup to prevent burning.
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Serve: Carefully remove the bowls from the broiler and serve immediately, allowing the delicious aroma of the melted cheese and caramelized onions to entice your taste buds.
This French Onion Soup recipe is a timeless classic that brings warmth and satisfaction in every spoonful. Enjoy it with your loved ones or serve it as an impressive starter at your next dinner gathering.
