Amazingly Delicious French Onion Soup Recipe
I think the very first time I tried French Onion Soup I was surprised at how delicious it was. I didn’t think onion soup would be so nice! Of course the key is in the caramalising of the onions – so this is not the fastest soup recipe you will ever cook, but while cooking, it does not need constant attention.
It is however easy to make and only has a few ingredients – onions, garlic, butter and stock – which ideally includes a glass of white wine. Although the white wine increase the budget it still remains quite a low cost soup, due to the low price of the onions. You can buy small bottles of wine meant for one person for under £2, so I would recommend buying that if you don’t want a whole bottle of wine. Thus the total cost is about £2.50 for 4 people – hardly an excessive amount.
History Of Onion Soup
Onion soup has been consumed since Roman times, onions being cheap and plentiful and they have been popular especially with the poor throughout the centuries. It seems that the French Onion Soup in the way we know it now, probably evolved in the nineteenth century – caramalising the onions and serving with bread and cheese. Of course onions are associated with the French – and of course, as far as this soup is concerned, with good reason!!
Easy, simple and rustic – French Onion soup is a low cost recipe – even with the addition of a splash of wine!
This soup makes a really tasty, warming and filling lunch or it makes an excellent start to a flavourful dinner party. It can be made in advance and benefits from keeping and reheating. Onions are in season and available the whole year round, so it is always an economical and easy dish you can rely on.
Onions Are Good For You Too!
Onions are amazingly nutritious, they are low in calories and fat and high in some vitamins and minerals. They are thought to protect against cardiovascular disease as well as some cancers and they can lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Do seek advice from a doctor or dietician if you are eating onions for their positive effects.
Traditionally French onion soup is made with beef broth but I used a vegetarian stock. You can use a beef or even chicken stock if you prefer. The stock will alter the flavour a little but the main taste comes from the onions and garlic, and the wine adds flavour too. You can of course simply serve the soup with some crusty bread, but it is fun to serve it in the traditional way with cheesy croutons – and of course cheese and onion are well known as excellent culinary partners.
French Onion Soup Recipe
Serves 4-6
Ingredients
- 750g /1.5lb onions (around 4 medium onions)
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
- 55g / 2oz butter
- 2 tablespoons plain flour
- 1 large glass white wine
- 750ml beef or vegetables stock
- 1 small french loaf
- 50g / 2oz gruyere cheese, cut in slivers
For The Croutons
Cooking Directions
- Peel the onions and chop
- In a large heavy bottomed saucepan, melt the butter
- Add the onions and garlic
- Stir to ensure they are all covered in the butter
- Cook on a high heat until soft
- Reduce the heat and cook for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally
- Once they are soft an brown and slightly gooey, add the flour, stir and cook for a couple of minutes
- Add the stock and wine
- Bring to the boil, stirring
- Turn down the heat and cover so the soup is just gently simmering
- Cook for an hour to an hour and a half, stirring occasionally
- Cut the french bread into slices
- Brown on each side under a grill
- Top with the gruyere cheese
- Pop back under the grill until the cheese melts
- Serve either with the soup, or to do it traditionally, in the soup
Make the croutons
This is a great frugal recipe working out at less than 50p per portion, with all the goodness of the onions and the flavours of the wine and garlic. So simple to make too. Love it!
looks delish! A perfect soup for the coming winter 🙂 Thanks for sharing!