French Onion Soup

French Onion Soup

Julia Child's last meal was French onion soup...

When I was in Paris last year I had French onion soup for dinner Thanksgiving night. I'll say the setting was perfect - window seat, Eiffel Tower right outside - romance - love in the air - and a bitchy Chinese maitre d' (he was pissed that he gave us the best table in the house and we only ordered soup and a cheese plate). Sadly the soup wasn't all that. The cheese plate was pretty dang good though...

1/2 Cup butter (unsalted)
4 Onions, sliced
2 Garlic cloves, chopped
2 Bay leaves
2 Fresh thyme sprigs
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper (white pepper sucks)
1 Cup red wine
3 Heaping tbsp all-purpose flour
2 Quarts beef broth
1 Baguette
1/2 Lb Gruyere, grated (or more if your a cheeseaholic)

In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted add the onions, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper - cook until the onions are very soft and caramelized. This will take about 25 minutes or so. Add the wine and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the wine has evaporated and the onions are dry - about 5 minutes or so. Remove the bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Add the flour into the pot and stir in with the onions. Cook the mixture on a medium-low for a few minutes then add the beef broth. bring it up to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Add a few pinches of salt and some pepper. Ladle the soup into oven proof bowls and float a few of the baguette slices in each bowl. Divide the cheese up and top the bowls well. Put the bowls on a baking sheet and stick them under a pre-heated broiler for 3-5 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.




A lot of places in Paris gave you a little plate of olives to snack on before your meal...

I spent some time at the Eifel Tower before our dinner - it was a grand time. It was snowing up at the top but no snow was making it down to the ground. FREEZING

Not that it matters but my x-wife makes the best French onion soup I've ever had. She use provolone and mozzarella cheese on top of hers instead of Swiss though...

We will be doing a French onion soup video soon so keep coming back!

Bon Appetit...

~Nikko