Description
French Onion Soup delivers classic comfort with caramelized onions and rich beef broth nestled under a golden cheese crust. Hearty layers of flavor invite European culinary tradition to your dinner table, promising warmth in each spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein and Broth:
- 5 cups beef broth
- 2 slices Swiss cheese, diced
- 4 slices provolone cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables and Base:
- 4 cups sliced onions
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Seasonings and Bread:
- 2 tablespoons dry sherry
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch pepper
- 4 slices French bread
Instructions
- Caramelize onions in a blend of butter and olive oil over medium heat, gently stirring until they transform into a soft, translucent golden mixture without browning.
- Pour in rich beef broth, complementing the onions with a splash of sherry and delicate thyme. Enhance the liquid with a nuanced seasoning of salt and pepper.
- Allow the soup to gently simmer, letting the flavors harmonize and intensify for approximately half an hour, creating a deeply aromatic base.
- Position oven racks near the broiler and preheat to high temperature, preparing for the final cheese-melting stage.
- Transfer the fragrant soup into individual heat-resistant ceramic bowls, ensuring even distribution.
- Layer torn rustic French bread across the soup’s surface, creating a rustic foundation for the cheese topping.
- Generously crown each bowl with a combination of provolone, Swiss, and Parmesan cheeses, covering the bread completely.
- Slide the prepared bowls onto a sturdy baking sheet and position under the broiler, watching carefully as the cheese melts and transforms into a bubbly, golden-brown crust.
- Remove immediately once the cheese achieves a perfect caramelized finish, typically within 2-3 minutes of broiling.
Notes
- Slow-cooking onions is key to developing a rich, deep flavor without burning them.
- Use a heavy-bottomed pot to ensure even heat distribution and prevent scorching.
- Sherry adds a complex, slightly sweet undertone that elevates the traditional beef broth base.
- Choose a crusty, day-old French bread for the best texture and ability to absorb soup without becoming soggy.
- Mixing different cheeses creates a more complex and creamy topping that browns beautifully under the broiler.
- Allow the soup to rest for a few minutes after broiling to let the flavors meld and cool slightly before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 50mg