I first had this soup in 1977 in St. Thomas. I will never forget how wonderful that soup tasted. I asked the waiters if they knew how the soup was made. The chef came out and talked with us for quite a while. He was gracious enough to tell me how they made the soup.
We have made it ever since.
I was in a hurry I would have normally browned my cheese more than this.
I love the Lions Head Soup Tureens.
Back in time:
We had this very filling soup with prime rib.
I now use this soup as a main course.
Add a green salad, french bread and you have a wonderful warm meal.
French Onion Soup
8 onions, peeled, sliced thin (recipe calls for white onions but family prefers yellow)
3 tablespoons butter
7 cups beef stock or Bouillon
1 cup chicken stock or Bouillon (recipe called for all beef but we like little chicken also)
4 tablespoons dry white wine
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups of grated gruyere or grated swiss or grated mozzerella & parmesan cheese
(that you grate yourself)
8 small slices of toasted fairly hard french bread
To Cook: In a large, heavy kettle, simmer the onion slices in the butter until they are lightly browned. This may take some time and I really like to brown mine sometimes until golden brown. You may start on top of stove and then transfer into oven if you wish to brown without having to stir so much. That is your choice. They do carmelize very beautifully in oven.
Stir in the beef stock, wine, salt and pepper and simmer for 20 minutes. You may keep this on low or warm until ready to serve.
When ready to serve:
Slice and toast the french bread
This recipe makes 8 small bowls or about 6 larger soup tureens
Place about a tablespoon of grated cheese in bottom of bowl
Place bread into bowls
ladle soup in and when the bread rises to the top sprinkle with grated cheese.
Place in oven preheated at 375 degrees for 5 minutes or so, then put the oven on broil to brown the cheese. (make sure your bowls are oven proof)
I personally think that anything you cook, can be changed to be a little healthier. There are always substitutions that can be made......
LOW FAT VERSION
For Those On a Diet***For a lower fat version***
Use vegetable broth instead of beef
Use olive oil instead of butter
Do not use bread
Use a very small amount of low fat cheese on top to broil
or no cheese at all.
Julia Child making her French Onion Soup
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