French Onion Soup: A Classic Recipe with Yield
French Onion Soup, a culinary masterpiece, is renowned for its rich, savory broth, caramelized onions, and a perfectly toasted baguette topped with melted Gruyère cheese. This recipe will guide you through creating this timeless dish, while also detailing the yield, ensuring you have enough for your gathering.
Ingredients: (Yields 6 servings)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup dry sherry or white wine (optional)
- 6 cups beef broth
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 6 slices baguette, about 1-inch thick
- 6 ounces Gruyère cheese, grated
Instructions:
Step 1: Caramelizing the Onions
- The foundation of a great French Onion Soup is the perfectly caramelized onions. This takes time and patience, but the result is worth the effort. Melt the butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the thinly sliced onions, sugar, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for at least 30-45 minutes, or until the onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown. This slow cooking process brings out the natural sweetness of the onions. Do not rush this step!
Step 2: Building the Broth
- Once the onions are caramelized, add the sherry (if using) and cook for another minute or two, allowing the alcohol to evaporate.
- Pour in the beef broth, chicken broth, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour, to allow the flavors to meld. This long simmering time develops a deep and complex flavor profile.
Step 3: Assembling the Soup
- Preheat your broiler to high.
- Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls.
- Top each bowl with a slice of baguette and a generous amount of grated Gruyère cheese.
- Broil for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
Step 4: Serving and Enjoying
- Carefully remove the bowls from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.
- Garnish with extra thyme sprigs (optional) for an aromatic touch.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the rich, comforting flavors of this classic French Onion Soup!
Tips for Success:
- Use a good quality beef broth for the best flavor.
- Don't overcrowd the pot when caramelizing the onions. This will prevent them from caramelizing properly. Work in batches if necessary.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute vegetable broth for the beef and chicken broth.
- Adjust the amount of cheese to your preference. Some prefer a thicker, cheesier topping.
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