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Tuesday, March 26, 2019

YOU WILL LOVE THIS IF YOU LOVE ONIONS-BAKED FRENCH ONION SOUP

I made this the other night
for the first time in ages.
It is SOOO good AND easy!

I wanted to post it before the
warm days of spring hit too hard.
There is nothing like good soup
on a cool day.

There are tons of
recipes out there for
French Onion Soup
but this is my own recipe.
Most of them call for
wine added to the mix
somewhere along the line.
I don't drink because
of a reaction I have to alcohol.
MyHero doesn't drink
either - well, just because
he doesn't.

So...
What to do for good 
FLAVOR?
Well, ma'am, I 
CARAMELIZE 
the onions.

This is the simplest recipe
you will EVER make.
I promise.

Take 3 or 4 
large yellow onions..
Vidalias if you can find them.
Slice into rings about
1/4 inch thick..or thicker...
or thinner...doesn't matter.
Put them in a large, heavy
saucepan placed over
 barely medium heat.

Throw the onions in there
with about 1/2 cup melted
REAL BUTTER 
Stir onions until they are
coated with butter.
Place a tightly fitted lid on top.

Stir a few times till they are
heated a bit.
Turn the burner down to your
lowest setting.
Walk away.
Come back in a half hour or so
and stir them down.
Check them every ten minutes or so
and when they are 
transparent  let them continue
cooking until they start 
turning a pale golden brown.
Remove the cover~
Then start stirring them 
more often so 
that they don't burn.
When they are a wonderful
medium golden brown
pour in a large container
of Swanson's Beef Broth.
(32 oz or so)
Add 1 tsp. garlic powder (not salt).
This time I used about 
1 teaspoon of minced garlic from the jar
(the kind in oil in the produce dept here)

Cover and continue to let heat
for 20 to 30 minutes.
Don't boil it though.

Meanwhile,
Cut bread into a round that will
fit the top of your oven proof bowls.
Toast the bread.

Ladle soup into the bowl.
Add bread on top.
I usually use Rye bread.
Cover with 1 or 2  round pieces of 
Provolone cheese
sprinkle with a tablespoon
of grated Parmesan.
Preheat broiler.
Place bowl under broiler
for 3 to 4 minutes or until
cheese is bubbly and golden.
WATCH CLOSELY-
It goes from brown to burnt
in a New York minute.
Sprinkle with just a pinch 
of fresh parsley or sweet basil.

DO NOT 
leave it under the broiler  this long.
(5 minutes for my oven).
And here you were thinking 
I was dadgum near perfect, weren't you?

Well, the one above was
MY OWN BOWL,
thank you very much.
I didn't want to waste it
and I didn't want 
MyHero to whine about
burnt cheese....
His looked like this~


So...there you have it...
Serve with a 
Caesar's salad and
you have a complete meal.
YUM.

ps...just a warning...
Don't be kissing your cousins
unless they have been eating 
the onion soup, too....
ummm...wait a minute...
you shouldn't be kissing your
cousin at all, should you?
At least Wisconsin says it's 
A No-No.

Here's the condensed recipe..
Get it? Condensed? Soup?...oh never mind..

French Onion Soup
3 or 4 LARGE sweet onions
1/2 cup butter (even if you double this recipe

you don't need more butter) NO OLEO!
1 teaspoon garlic powder or minced garlic
salt & pepper to taste
1-32 oz container Beef Broth.
(you can add an extra small can
to this if you like it "soupier")
Rounds of rye bread
Rounds of Provolone cheese or mozzarella 
Parmesan cheese

Melt butter in a heavy pan over medium heat.
Add onions and stir to coat with butter.
Put lid on. Make sure it fits tight.
When heated through, turn temp down to simmer.
Cover and let cook as long as
needed, stirring occasionally,  until
they turn a medium golden brown.
Add beef broth and continue to simmer
to blend flavors.
Ladle into bowls.
Cover with 1 bread round
Cover bread with 2 slices Provolone cheese
(or mozzarella cheese)
Broil under oven broiler 2 o 3 minutes
until bubbly and golden colored.
Sprinkle with a few bits of
parsley or basil.
Serves 3-4

Have a wonderful spring day- 
there is no green to be seen here yet---
but I have the promise 
that it will come one day 
(soon-I hope)!!!!

Off to the VA this morning
to spread a little sunshine
and push the old boys around!

52 comments:

  1. My husband loves French Onion soup and he just had some on Saturday evening and said it was one of the best he had ever had.

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  2. I think the alcohol would have pretty much evaporated and only the infused flavour would remain. The soup looks delicious and it certainly is inspired by French onion soup, but with rye bread, provolone and parmesan cheeses I think it is a bit of stretch to call it FRENCH!

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  3. I can almost imagine smelling it!! It has been so so long since I've had French onion soup, something I would only have in a restaurant, never think to make it myself. Thanks for the recipe, Diana. -Jenn

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  4. Brilliant...Absolutely brilliant..! :)
    As a social cook, it's nice to read and learn
    a different method of doing something..I'm much
    the same, try different ways of making things,
    my curries are never the same, but then l always
    used the same curry pot, that is 'never' washed
    out..my curries are to die for, but don't ask
    for the recipe..! :).

    It's lovely over here..just cut the grass out
    front, did the back, yesterday..
    Got some pheasant Cacciatore left from Sunday,
    so..l'll be out on the patio shortly enjoying
    it..probably with Fudge, who will pop round and
    stick his nose into my dinner...Naughty boy..! :o).

    Oh! One thing before l go..Parmesan cheese..Make sure
    it's Parmigiano-Reggiano..There is 'NO' other..!

    HeHe! I'm having to get a new 'mouse' l've worn the
    wheel out...going up and down this post..HeHe! Bless!
    ❀ヅ❤♫❀ヅ❤♫❀ヅ❤♫❀ヅ❤♫❀ヅ❤♫❀ヅ❤♫❀ヅ❤♫

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  5. Oh I love French Onion Soup, but never even considered making it at home. It is one of those rare treats...can’t remember the last time I enjoyed some. Have fun tending to the guys!

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  6. well you got my mouth watering with this recipe!! Looks delish and I hope to try it soon!

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  7. Mmmmm, nothing tastier than carmelized onions!

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  8. Oh I love onion soup. This sounds easy enough!! Im gonna give it a shot! A shot of wine that is.....Hahha.
    Lisa

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  9. Oh this looks so good. I love onion soup. Definitely going to try it.

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  10. Oh my that looks delicious! I love French Onion Soup! xo Dolly

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  11. Oh yes ma'am, yes ma'am...simply divine and going into my tummy!

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  12. Me again...Oh! No!
    Right! Lets get one thing straight here...
    The modern version of this soup originates in Paris,
    France in the 18th century, made from beef broth, and
    caramelized onions. It is often finished by being placed
    under a grill in a ramekin with croutons and Comté melted
    on top. The crouton on top is reminiscent of ancient soups..
    Table manners for eating french onion soup. To break through
    the layer of cheese to the soup, twirl a small amount of
    cheese on your spoon until it forms a small clump.
    Then cut the strand off neatly by pressing the spoon edge
    against the edge of the bowl; you could also use a knife or
    fork for cutting...

    So..It does'nt matter what anyone says...It is perfectly
    entitled to be called...'FRENCH'...!
    Which it is of course..! :).

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  13. Thank you for sharing. I have copied down that recipe. My it does sound delicious and easy to make too. I happen to have some wonderfully sweet onions in the basket right now and this will be a perfect way to use some of them up. Hope you have a terrific Tuesday!

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  14. A new crop of Vidalias will be here in the coming weeks. Can't wait to give this recipe a try. Wishing you a nice day. xo

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  15. Beautifully described and photographed. Looks and sounds delicious. I have only had mess hall versions of French Onion, I know it is hard to believe but yours just sounds and looks better. LOL
    Love the entry...
    Sherry & jack

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  16. My hubby makes a killer French Onion Soup ~ as a matter of fact, it is on our menu for next week!
    Your method sounds fabulous ~ but I would have to substitute sourdough for the rye...

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  17. Yum. Can you believe I've never had French Onion Soup? This looks amazing though...I think it's the cheese and the bread. I have an addiction to both of those! And I'm with you, not a drinker at all...makes for an interesting evening when everyone else is indulging though, eh? ;)

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  18. Oh my gosh, that looks good! I haven’t made baked onion soup in years but now I want to make some of this! Thanks for sharing your recipe!

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  19. I am sharing this recipe with the head chef- he loves to make French onion soup.

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  20. WELL....YUMO....can't wait to make this. Never made it before but love it.

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  21. Oh yummmmmm!
    Making me drool.
    My Dr. said no more cheese! (I have very high cholesterol)...
    It's the saddest thing....I adore cheese...and red wine....but I have cut them. Cheese completely and wine by half...One glass with dinner.
    So, I have lost 5 pounds!
    ugh, I miss this kind of soup!
    Nancy
    wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

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  22. You're hilarious! What, no kissing kin in Wisconsin?

    I will add this to my collection of French Onion Soup recipes. I love it just about any way it's made but the original Julia Child one I started out with eons ago does take a lot of time and tending. There was a baked in the oven recipe I've been meaning to try that was in the back of one of those American in Paris types of books. So many recipes, so little time!

    Your hero's bowl is beautiful!

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  23. Oh my goodness I am copying the recipe - looks like it should be on the cover a cooking magazine! YUM! sandie

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  24. I've been trying to think of something different to make, and viola...here it is!!!! thank you, dear Diana!! This looks wonderful, and delicious for an early spring meal.
    Love ya.
    Debbie
    xo

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  25. That looks amazing!! The hubster is definitely going to love this recipe! Can't wait to try it! We will be having a cold spurt over the weekend...perfect time to give it a try! Love and hugs!

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  26. This sounds scrumptious and easy enough for me!
    Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

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  27. Diana, It looks good. I just have never thought I would like it ...so probably should try it some time before I make it at home. I honestly never knew about the bread.LOL.I always thought it was onion and cheese only. LOL I am hoping my big cooking days are over...I have special dishes I make for family gatherings. I have learn to cut corners when it's just Ted and I. :):) Blessings to you , the cook. Love you, xoxo, Susie

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  28. Yum, that looks absolutely delicious.

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  29. That looks and sounds SO good!! French Onion Soup is what we always order when it's on the menu! Thanks for the recipe!

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  30. Yummmmmmm this looks delish. This is Terry's Favorite.
    Happy New Week.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  31. Oh that looks delicious!!! I'll save it and will certainly make it.

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  32. That looks really good. I always eat the burned ones, too. It’s already gotten pretty warm here. 78 yesterday. I hope it cools off a little for a while.

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  33. We're already warm with trees greened up and flowers blooming. Yay Spring. But this soup sounds perfect for an easy and quick meal. Thanks!

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  34. This sounds super yummy Diana, I'm gonna try it, thanks!

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  35. YUM! Now I am in the mood for FO soup (it is what I call it after years of writing it as a waitress :-) It was pretty good soup where I worked but I will try yours to see how good it is!

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  36. That soup looks so good! Unfortunately, I have food intolerances/digestion problems and onions are a no-no. I can use them sparingly in recipes and even then I really shouldn't because I get so bloated, but dang it, I love them and they add so much flavor to recipes! My son's favorite soup is French Onion. :-)

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  37. Diana, this sounds so good. We go to a restaurant that uses carmelized onions on a sandwich that Jerry likes. If I make the soup (which I probably will) or not I will use this recipe to carmelize the onions..Happy Tuesday..Judy

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  38. Looks yummy. Almost makes me want to try it. I’m not an onion soup fan but this looks so good. Doesn’t sound all that easy. I will save this recipe just in case! Have fun at the VA Xxoo

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  39. Well this recipe has my mouth watering, and you've made it very simple! Caramelized onions are sooo good!! Hard to wait 30 minutes as they smell so good when cooking! I like to make them for burger toppings. Thanks for sharing your recipe! 😋

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  40. Your soup looks and sounds so delicious and easy to make! Thanks for the recipe to make the soup. :)

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  41. My hubby loves onion soup....me, not so much. I’ve never made it so he often orders it when we eat out 😊

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  42. Mmmm...looks wonderful! I love onions, but my hubby and son, on the other hand, don't. I'll have to make this for ME :) Thanks for sharing the recipe.

    Hugs to you!

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  43. .........and what time can you expect me for supper!!?? LOL sure look delicous. This is one of the first things ever learned to make in my first ever apartment, back in the "stone age", ha ha LOL Your recipe looks better though.

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  44. Oh, we used to have French onion soup every Christmas Eve. I really miss that. Haven't had it in a few years. Your bowl that's a little burnt and crisp even looks delicious. Rather than the Rye bread, we put LOTS of mozzarella cheese on top and bake it. Now, I'm craving your French onion soup. : )

    ~Sheri

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  45. Yummy for my tummy! I love that thick, gooey cheese top! I could eat it and almost skip the soup! Such a timeless recipe that never goes out of style! Hugs!

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  46. Thanks for this easy recipe, Diana! Our family loves this soup. I think it's about time to make it again!

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  47. Thanks for the recipe and directions, that soup sounds and looks delicious!

    I love onions, garlic, and basil, and I heard that garlic can help lower one's blood pressure.

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  48. I love French Onion soup. Never made it but now I will!!! Had to chuckle about the burnt cheese!

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  49. Looks so delicious, I do enjoy French Onion Soup.

    All the best Jan

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  50. Burnt or not, that looks DIVINE! Thanks for the recipe. xoxo

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