Monday, April 12, 2010

French Onion Soup


I have a new love in my life, and he's simply delicious. He's French, very hot and beefy. He also at his best when you keep him full of bread, wine and cheese. I'm totally hooked, and even though I'd rather keep him all to myself, I suppose I'll introduce you...


A few weeks ago I became obsessed with owning a set of French Onion Soup bowls. I'm not really sure why, especially because up until that point I had never actually made French Onion Soup before, and yet, I needed these bowls! Well after a few weeks of online shopping and yearning, I finally got a lucky break at William Sonoma and am a proud owner of French Onion Soup bowls. It's the simple things that keep us happy, right?

Since then I've already lost count how many times I've made myself this luscious soup. It's the best lunch in the world and I really can't get enough. I think what I love about it is that it's so unique. Beefy broth nestling a bed of croutons and a gooey layer of cheese, mmm. What else could you ask for.

I told myself that I was going to try a bunch of different recipes, but truth be told, I can't deviate from Tyler Florence's recipe. It's so easy and delicious, I'm hooked!

French Onion Soup
Tyler Florence

Ingredients

•1/2 cup unsalted butter
•4 onions, sliced
•2 garlic cloves, chopped
•2 bay leaves
•2 fresh thyme sprigs
•Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
•1 cup red wine, about 1/2 bottle
•3 heaping tablespoons all-purpose flour (I quit doing the flour, it only seemed to make the soup unnecessarily lumpy)
•2 quarts beef broth
•1 baguette, sliced
•1/2 pound grated Gruyere

Directions

Melt the stick of butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, and salt and pepper and cook until the onions are very soft and caramelized, about 25 minutes. Add the wine, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until the wine has evaporated and the onions are dry, about 5 minutes. Discard the bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Dust the onions with the flour and give them a stir. Turn the heat down to medium low so the flour doesn't burn, and cook for 10 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. Now add the beef broth, bring the soup back to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.

Ladle the soup into bowls, top each with 2 slices of bread and top with cheese. Put the bowls into the oven to toast the bread and melt the cheese.

33 comments:

Christo Gonzales said...

french onion soup is like an old girlfriend I cant get over - I always want some - is that a bad thing?

Kim said...

Can you believe I've never tried this Tyler recipe? What am I thinking? I love your new french onion bowls;D Sounds like you'll be getting lots of use out of them! Looking at that cheesy deliciousness is making me hungry.

Julie said...

French onion soup is one of my favorites! Yours looks delicious and cheesy! So hard to eat but so worth it!

The Blonde Duck said...

I've actually never had it! The bowls are too cute!

Pretty Zesty said...

This is my favorite soup ever!!!

Velva said...

I can totally relate! I went through the period that I had to own a set of french onion soup bowls too. I love French onion soup. I have no doubt that Tyler Florence's version is delcious.

Kathleen said...

I love french onion soup! Its a long time fav! Love your photos!

Angela said...

Mmmmm, thanks for sharing! Definitely going to try this one. :)

Heidi said...

YUM!!!! I love the new bowls too :) I love onion. Did I say YUM???

chow and chatter said...

oh wow looks amazing great job

Anonymous said...

Looks absolutely gorgeous.Trying to get into the whole soups thing, was never a fan!

Melody said...

BEST SOUP EVER! Thanks so much for the recipe. It looks so good!

Katy said...

Onion soup is one of my all time favs as well. I put a little cognac in mine, but the red wine sounds luscious too. Yummm....

nathalia said...

Oh laws! Your last two recipes have me drooling on my keyboard!
I'm a francophile but have been averse to onions. Until you have French onion soup in Paris. Then even I can't hold a grudge against onions. I NEED to make this. And buy me some bowls too!

Joanne said...

There is something so GOOD about french onion soup. It's just so classic and comforting. Definitely worth buying the bowls for,

Krista said...

Great. Now I need French Onion Soup bowls. This looks amazing. I love French Onion Soup. Can't wait to make my own.

Sophia Lee said...

Thsi is my FAVORITE soup in the world! So much so that I bought those soup pots just to make these! Yuuuum!

Michelle said...

I've not made Onion Soup in such a long time now. Never thought to add red wine!

Debbie said...

Boy does that look good. Now I want to make that for dinner tonight!

Erica said...

mmmm I want to make a veggie friendly version. Onions, cheese, bread, whats not to love? Looks absolutely fabulous- restaurant quality :)

Alissa said...

DROOL! Oh, you're too good to me! This tasted fantastic...best FOS I've ever tried. You heard me... F.O.S.! I too, am in love with your cute little bowls!!!! Mmmmmmmm!

Jenn said...

French onion has been one of the soups I've been dying to make. Call me lazy. I need to kick myself just to get that ball rolling.

MaryMoh said...

I have not tried this French Onion Soup but it sure looks very delicious. Would love to try. Thanks for sharing. MaryMoh at http://www.keeplearningkeepsmiling.com

Joan Morris said...

Holy smokes!! This looks divine!! Can't wait to try!

Leslie said...

drool drool! love french onion soup!

Barbara said...

I'm in love! Why have I never made this? (Maybe because I don't have those gorgeous bowls?)

Reeni said...

I love your new bowls! And the soup! French Onion is one of my favorites! I haven't made it in so long.

theUngourmet said...

French onion soup is the ultimate! I've been addicted to it lately as well. I love this recipe and you new bowls! Awesome photos too! :)

Shelby said...

oh wow Teresa, this looks AWESOME! Your photos are great, makes me want to dig in!

Rebekah said...

this looks ssoooo good! french onion is one of my all time favorite soups!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Ha-ha! I'm always talking myself into some new pan or gadget. :) I'm just barely refraining from a new fancy schmancy camera purchase.

Until a year or so ago I couldn't stand onions but I've actually started eating them if they're cooked.(Thanks to my non picky eating children.) I'm thinking this would be a great recipe to break me in on onions. Now I just need some bowls. Ha-ha!

Hope you're having a great weekend!
~ingrid

Lara said...

French onion soup is one of those love/hate things in our house. The adults love it and the kids hate it. I may just have to give it another try and see if I can win them over.

Diana's Cocina said...

Love the new bowls! And the soup has my name all over it!