French Onion Soup
Real French onion soup has exactly one difficult ingredient, and it is time: a kilo of onions has to caramelize for 40-50 minutes over low heat, from translucent to deep chocolate brown.
This step cannot be shortened. Over higher heat the onions burn on the outside before the sugar inside caramelizes, and the soup comes out bitter rather than sweet. There is no added sugar in this recipe — all of it comes from the onion, and it only comes out with time.
Everything after that — deglazing, stock, the cheese crust under the grill — is routine.
Ingredients
- 1 kg white onions, very finely sliced
- 50 g butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour (plain flour), for the roux
- 150 ml dry white wine or sherry
- 1.5 l good beef stock, homemade if possible
- 1 bay leaf and fresh thyme
- Country bread, cut into slices and toasted
- 200 g Gruyère or Emmental, grated
Method
- 1
Slow caramelization — the heart of it: in a heavy-bottomed pot, melt the butter with the oil. Add the onions and cook them over very low heat, stirring occasionally, for at least 40-50 minutes. There is no shortcut: higher heat burns them before the sugar caramelizes and the soup turns bitter.
- 2
When the onion is deep brown, sprinkle in the flour and cook 2 minutes more to toast it. Pour in the white wine and deglaze the pot, scraping up all the caramelized flavor from the bottom.
- 3
Add the hot stock, the bay leaf and the thyme. Lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes more to bring the flavors together.
- 4
To serve: ladle the soup into individual ovenproof bowls. Lay a slice of toasted bread on top and cover generously with the grated cheese. Put them under the grill until browned and bubbling.
Flavors of the Mediterranean: From Our Table to Yours
If one kitchen invites you to sit down at a long table and stay there, it is the Mediterranean. This is our personal selection of dishes that celebrate freshness, sun and good produce: recipes that smell of basil, lemon and sea. Technique in the service of simplicity — and dishes that come out right every time.
