I don’t know about you but, now that the weather has turned a little colder, I’ve started to think about soup again. Let’s face it, a sandwich or salad for lunch just doesn’t cut it on a cold day, whereas soup is perfect. French onion soup could be my all time favourite soup. Tender onions in a rich stock served with little toasts topped with cheese…… Devine!

How to Make Perfect French Onion Soup

French onion soup is a really easy and cheap soup to make, but you do need to take a little time to cook the onions – slowly! Cook over a gently heat, so that the sugars in the onion caramalise without burning. To be honest, I was a little impatient when making this soup to take the pictures, and should have given them a little longer until they were more golden.  Don’t make the same mistake and  rush this step. Your time will be rewarded.  If you cook them too fast the onions will burn and taste bitter.  Don’t cook them enough and the soup will be pale and won’t  have a beautiful rich onion flavour. That’s  it! That’s all you really need to know when making this soup. Apart from that, it is really simple.

Step by step French onion Soup

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French Onion Soup

Meltingly tender onions in a rich stock, this classic soup is served topped with croutes topped with cheese. It easy to make and tasted really delicious.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time50 mins

Total Time1 hr

Course: Soup

Cuisine: French

Servings: 4

Author: Jacqueline Bellefontaine

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp rapeseed oil
• 25 g butter
• 500 g mild onions sliced
• 1 tsp dark muscovado sugar
• 1 tbsp plain flour
• 1.2 litres good beef or vegetable stock
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 8 slices French bread
• 25 g gruyere cheese grated

Instructions

• Heat the oil and butter in a large sauce pan and gently sauté the onions for about 20 minutes, until they have turned a pale golden colour. Stir frequently to prevent them from burning.
• Sprinkle the sugar and flour into the pan and cook stirring for a few seconds.
• Gradually stir in the stock and bring to the boil. Add the bay leaves and thyme. Reduce the heat, cove, and simmer gently for 30 minutes.
• Sprinkle the cheese over the bread slices and place under a preheated grill until the cheese has melted and bubbles.
• Remove the bay leaves and discard. Spoon the soup into warm serving bowls and float the cheese topped toasts on top of the soup. Serve immediately.

Notes

Freeze: without the cheese toasts for up to 4 months.

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Cook the onions gently, stirring frequently until golden.

Stir in the sugar and flour, and cook gently.

Add the stock and bay leaves and simmer for 30 minutes.

Toast the bread, then top with cheese until melted.

Float the toasts in the soup and serve immediately.

Soup Lover?

If you like soup why not try my Pumpkin , Chunky Tomato and Bean or Leek and Potato Soup