French onion soup
French onion soup is so easy to make, and exceedingly delicious. Here's what you do:
Put a big pot (cast iron enameled french cookware works best) on medium high, and melt some butter and oil in it. Start slicing 6 medium onions, adding them to the pot as you slice them. Then let them get soft and brown, stirring them often. This will take about 20 minutes.
At this point, add salt, pepper and a little bit of thyme, then add about 1/2 a cup of dry Sherry. Deglaze the pot with it, let it evaporate. Pour in 6 cups of beef broth. Bring to a boil, and turn off, let steep for however long you want. It's soup, so it'll taste better the longer it stays in the pot.
When you're ready to eat, ladle soup into a bowl, add a few croutons on top, sprinkle with gruyere cheese and some more thyme, and broil until cheese is melted and bubbling.
Enjoy deliciousness.
I was fresh out of thyme, so in a pinch I substituted rosemary for it. You know what?, it actually works...
Comments and faves
nixgab, girlychimp, Hypnotic Aubergine, h2okatcher, and 139 other people added this photo to their favorites.
nixgab (87 months ago | reply)
yummy...
cheezemaster (87 months ago | reply)
that looks awesome! did you make the croutons too?
ilmungo (87 months ago | reply)
@nixgab: it was even yummier the next day! ;)
@cheezemaster: thanks! yes, I made the crouton myself, but it was very easy. I used some sourdough french bread (because Carolyn loves sourdough), toasted two thick slices and then cut it into cubes.
spidrwegian_no_more [deleted] (87 months ago | reply)
Looks great. French onion soup here always looks a bit brown and greasy. This looks fab! nice shot
Boomette (87 months ago | reply)
I'll have to try it one day. It looks delicious.
girlychimp (87 months ago | reply)
It really look delicious. I want a bowl right now!
Nicole Harvey (87 months ago | reply)
oddly (perfectly) enough I was just explaining this to a colleague today. I mentioned I might go beef just for this. nice to try with a deglazing of vermouth and a strong mushroom broth.
ilmungo (87 months ago | reply)
@flickrwegian: thanks. Like I said, it really is easy to make, so if your local offerings are lacking, try doing it yourself. It won't be worse, I promise! ;)
@boomette: try it, you won't regret it!
@girlychimp: i'm starting to feel like an onion soup pusher, but: you could be having one in less than one hour...
@The Nicole: crap! in the recipe above, i totally forgot a really important part: Sherry! you have to add dry sherry to the onions along with the thyme, and deglaze the pot with it. thank you thank you for reminding me, i'll fix the recipe.
Oh, and yes, a nice strong mushroom broth can actually be a decent substitute for beef broth. But you know, beef broth is removed enough from actual cows that surely it's not meat anymore? ;) (it's just my italian coming out here, don't mind me...)
Hypnotic Aubergine (87 months ago | reply)
I want!
ilmungo (87 months ago | reply)
But, but, there's beef broth in it, hypno... have you renounced vegetarianism, or are you in the same camp as The Nicole, who would give it up just for onion soup?
Hypnotic Aubergine (87 months ago | reply)
I don't want, then!
Knowledge (of the beef's broth in it) made me wiser :-D
h2okatcher [deleted] (87 months ago | reply)
Yummy! My weakness! Thansk for recipe too!
ilmungo (87 months ago | reply)
No problem, h2okatcher, have a bowl!
rrrichard [deleted] (87 months ago | reply)
looks savory and delicious! i wouldn't mind having some of this tonight.
ilmungo (87 months ago | reply)
Yay! I would never have thought that French onion soup would trigger so much craving in so many people. It is also slighly sweet from the caramelization of the onions. It is truly delectable...
anzyAprico (86 months ago | reply)
interesting...thansk for particular recipe.
i'd like to cook it too!
ilmungo (86 months ago | reply)
No problem anzyAprico, hope you enjoy it.
ch☺c☺Kat (86 months ago | reply)
omg...!! :O
Woupidy (86 months ago | reply)
looks very yummy :D
ilmungo (86 months ago | reply)
Thanks, chocokat and woupidy.
The amount of traffic and comments on this photo confirms to me that it's the simplest things that resonate more strongly with us. I think that's very cool.
Keep them coming! ;)
i am riding on the screen name carousel (86 months ago | reply)
first...nice photo...all of my food pics seem dreary in comparison...second...thanks for the recipe (i make a mean mexican tortilla soup myself)...
Joits (81 months ago | reply)
yummy!
ilmungo (81 months ago | reply)
Now that wintertime is coming back, I should start making this again...
Cryptia. [deleted] (78 months ago | reply)
Looks so tasty!
Photo_Tourist (78 months ago | reply)
Very yummy!
hananolion (78 months ago | reply)
looks delicious!
Argendy [deleted] (77 months ago | reply)
I've had this before and it really is one of the best dishes I've ever tasted.
nakedchefgun (74 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called A very special food, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Scandblue (70 months ago | reply)
Looks so good! I want some!
Yanks4Life23519 (65 months ago | reply)
that looks sooo good!!
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called All things indoors =), and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
ckbagby (64 months ago | reply)
This looks fantastic! Can't wait to make it. Thanks
25meip [deleted] (63 months ago | reply)
Thanks for the cc license. I included your picture in a project I was working on for photoshop. See it here www.flickr.com/photos/25meip/2348727422/
Little Grey (61 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called FOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
i never had onion soup,but what an awesome shot!
would-be boejuu (60 months ago | reply)
I am sooooo hungry i want to eat this!
Hot Pepper Dave (58 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Comfort Food, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
I never realized it was that easy to make.
Goldnpwrlove (57 months ago | reply)
Looks delicious!
Suzz.com (56 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called My Secret Recipe, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
occhipiuverdi (54 months ago | reply)
Ti invito ad aggiungere questa golosa foto nel gruppo Piaceri del palato.
occhipiuverdi (53 months ago | reply)
With this beautiful photo, you could compete in our Foto-contest: CALDE ZUPPE / WARM SOUP - until january 22
Come and play!!!!
Suzz.com (53 months ago | reply)
I just came back from Paris and been addictedto the onion soup. Gotta make this soon! Thanks for the receipe!
fireshift (51 months ago | reply)
looks great!!
♥ Amy ♥ (50 months ago | reply)
You are invited to add this joyful photo to Joyful Simplicities
Our theme this week is Amélie Poulin! Think French!
feedmeee!!! (50 months ago | reply)
this is the best looking soup i have ever seen!!!!!!
FFFFFFEEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDD MMMMMMEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!
Lee Bader (43 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called אוכל קדימה אוכל, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
DanVoglesong (38 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called GMO Free World (sans OGM, Gentechnikfrei ) picture it ; join us , and we'd love to have this added to the group!
54StorminWillyGJ54 (31 months ago | reply)
It looks delicious. My mouth is watery now :) Great shot!