French Onion Cheese Soup

Classic French Onion Soup

Experience a culinary journey to the heart of France with this Classic French Onion Soup. This comforting dish, with its rich, savory depth of caramelized onions, a splash of white wine, and a hearty beef stock, is a timeless favorite. The crowning glory is the melted, golden brown Gruyère cheese over a crispy slice of baguette. This dish is perfect for a cozy evening and a true testament to the simplicity and elegance of French cuisine. Suitable for four, this dish is designed to captivate and satisfy.

Ingredients

• 6 large onions, thinly sliced
• 1 liter beef stock
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 200ml white wine
• 50g butter
• 1 baguette, sliced
• 100g Gruyère cheese, grated
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh thyme

Method

• In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes, until the onions are caramelized and golden brown.
• Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
• Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pot, stirring to release any browned bits. Cook for about 5 minutes until the wine is reduced by half.
• Add the beef stock and a few sprigs of fresh thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
• Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 200°C. Drizzle the baguette slices with olive oil and toast in the oven for about 5 minutes, until golden brown.
• Turn the oven to a broil setting. Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls, place a slice of baguette on top of each bowl, and sprinkle with the grated Gruyère cheese.
• Place the bowls on a baking sheet and broil in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 2-3 minutes. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh thyme and serve hot.

Tips

• For a deeper flavor, cook the onions slowly over a low heat until richly caramelized.
• Use a good quality beef stock for the best depth of flavor.
• Gruyère cheese is essential for its melting quality and nutty flavor, but you can use a good quality Swiss cheese as an alternative.

Nutritional Information