What Joe Cooks

Non-Traditional French Onion Soup

2017-02-13T06:24:19-07:00

This updated version of the classic preparation is completely vegetarian, by substituting vegetable broth for beef and a little sweeter and lighter by substituting dry white wine for red. Oh and I added two garlic cloves which is another departure from the traditional recipe.

The real impetus for making this dish on a Meatless Monday was the leftover garlic bread I had. I know, a little odd, but it's the truth!

This is great soup in part because of it's simplicity - onion, herbs, garlic, wine, broth.

Topped with a crouton and gruyere cheese.

That's it.

It's important that you properly caramelize the onions, but other than that it's hard to mess-up.

Give it a try!

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Non-Traditional French Onion Soup
INGREDIENTS
4 ounces unsalted butter
4 large sweet onions, sliced
2 garlic cloves, chopped
3 bay leaves
4 fresh thyme sprigs
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup dry white wine
3 rounded tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 quarts vegetable stock
6 pieces leftover garlic bread
1/2 pound grated Gruyere cheese

PREPARATION
Melt the butter in a large dutch oven 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 35 - 45 minutes.

Add the wine to pot, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until the wine has evaporated and the onions are dry, about 10 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.

Add the vegetable broth, bring the soup back to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes.

Season, to taste, with additional salt and pepper.

When you're ready to eat, preheat the broiler, bring the soup back to a boil and spoon into bowls.

Arrange a piece of bread on top of the soup and sprinkle with the cheese.

Put the bowls on a baking sheet and place under the broiler.

Broil until the cheese is melted and bubbly.