Tuesday, January 3, 2012

French Onion Soup


I think this is a record for nights in a row for soup.  I could eat soup every day all winter long. I have even been known to have soup in the summer. I think it is one of my favorite things to eat.  I got a gifted a mandoline for Christmas from my parents. Mr. J refused to get me one because he thinks they are dangerous.  I agree but I promise to be careful. 


This little gadget is life changing. One of my favorite soups is French Onion.  I tend to order it in restaurants or wait for someone to make some for me.  Slicing lots of onions very thinly is just not something I look forward to.  With the mandoline I had 5 large onions sliced in perfect little rings in about 5 minutes.


Gorgeous I tell you!  This pot of onion slices makes me so happy.  Honestly have you ever seen something so beautiful?  I am still marveling at this sight.   It was a good thing the onions were so easy because my patience wears thin waiting for the onions to soften down and almost caramelize.

French Onion Soup

Ingredients:

1/4 C unsalted butter
1 Tbsp olive oil
5 onions, sliced
2 garlic cloves, chopped
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 C dry sherry
2 quarts beef broth (I used vegetable because I was out of beef.)
1 baguette, sliced
3 slices Gouda cheese

Directions:
Melt the stick of butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and salt and pepper and cook until the onions are very soft and caramelized, about 25 minutes. Add in garlic with 5 minutes of cooking time remaining.

Add the sherry, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until the sherry has evaporated and the onions are dry, about 5 minutes. Now add the broth, bring the soup back to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.

When you're ready to eat, preheat the broiler. Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet in a single layer. Once toasted remove bread from oven.  Place on top of soup.  Lay Gouda slices on top of bread.  Broil until bubbly and golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes.


We used Gouda because we had some on hand and Mr. J found several postings online for French Onion soup with Gouda stating that it was delicious.  It certainly added a creamy consistency to the soup but I thought the Gouda flavor overwhelmed the soup itself.  Call me a traditionalist but I prefer Gruyere cheese.  I guess there is always leftovers.

18 comments:

  1. French Onion Soup is my all time favorite soup in the world. I love that you used veggie broth too...did it turn out just as good? A little story...The very first hour I used my mandoline I decided I was much too good for the finger guard and promptly sliced off the tip of my pinky finger! Use the finger guard is my only advice. I haven't cut myself since. :-) Happy New Year!

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  2. @Maggie Oh my, that is one of my worst fears. Don't worry I am making good use out of the gaurd.

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  3. With gouda eh?? It sounds fantastic!

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  4. For some reason, the yellow onions here are incredibly hot, almost as if they were grown beside jalapenos. I will need to make a special effort to get sweet ones if I want this soup! French Onion soup has been missing in my diet for way to long, yours looks delicious.

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  5. Oh my gosh that looks so FABULOUS!! YUMM!!

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  6. French Onion is definitely my favorite soup of all time. I can't resist all of those delicious onions!

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  7. This looks delicious! I love french onion soup but I have always been to afraid to make it.

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  8. Oh that looks heavenly. I could swim in it I love it so much. Yum!

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  9. I love soup. LOVE. This one is particularly beautiful! And I love the mandolin slicer, I can't live without mine. OK, maybe I COULD. but seriously, SO great,right?

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  10. Looks so delicious! I would love to buy a mandoline this year. The onions look wonderful.
    Have a great 2012.

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  11. Looks absolutely AMAZING! Wish I had some right now!

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  12. You know, I've never had French onion soup... but someone on my blog asked me to make a vegan version, so I guess I'll try my hand at it. I LOVE that you used gouda--one of my favs!

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  13. Your mandolin is terrific1 I have an inexpensive one that doesn't adjust, but I love it! The soup looks fantastic! One of my very favorites!

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  14. I love soup. Got to love those one pot meals. Your soup looks so good.

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  15. Mmm it's ben awhile since I had french onion soup but I love the use of gouda!

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  16. OH MY GOSH THIS LOOKS AMAZING!! I love that you used gouda!

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  17. I do love French onion soup! I was just thinking I should make some this week when I saw your post :-)

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  18. I love love love French onion soup!! I could eat soup everyday too!

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