French Onion Soup: the Cook’s Illustrated Way

May 09, 2023May 9, 20230 1
French Onion Soup: the Cook's Illustrated Way
in Soup

Prep

20 min

Cook

2 hr

Ready In

2 hr 20 min

Level

Difficult

Rating

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
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Ingredients

3 tablespoons unsalted butter , cut into 3 pieces
6 large yellow onions , halved and cut pole to pole into 1/4-inch-thick slices ( about 4 pounds )
salt
2 cups water , plus extra for deglazing
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
4 cups low sodium chicken broth
2 cups beef broth
1/4 cup dry red wine
6 sprigs fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
2 sprigs fresh parsley leaves
ground black pepper
cheese crouton
1 baguette , cut into 1/2-inch slices
4 1/2 ounces swiss cheese , sliced 1/16-inch thick
1 1/2 ounces grated asiago cheese ( about 3/4 cup )

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe
6
Calories
369
Sugar
16g
Fat
15g
French Onion Soup is a traditional soup that originated from France. This hearty soup is made with caramelized onions and has a rich savory flavor. Onion soup has been served in France since the 18th century and remains popular today. This recipe from Cook's Illustrated is considered one of the best French Onion Soup recipes out there. With the perfect balance of sweet and savory notes and topped with melted cheese, this soup is perfect for cold winter evenings.

Instructions

1.Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add the onions and 1 teaspoon salt, and stir to combine. Cover and cook for 1 hour.
2.Increase the heat to medium-high and cook uncovered, stirring frequently, for 45 minutes to 1 hour longer or until the onions are deep golden brown.
3.Deglaze the pot with 1/4 cup water and balsamic vinegar, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
4.Stir in chicken and beef broths, red wine, thyme sprigs, bay leaf, and parsley. Bring to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes.
5.Remove and discard herbs, and season soup with salt and pepper to taste.
6.For the cheese crouton, adjust the oven rack to the upper-middle position and heat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Flip slices over and top with Swiss cheese. Sprinkle with grated Asiago cheese and bake until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.
7.To serve, place croutons in individual serving bowls and ladle soup on top. Enjoy!

PROS

French Onion Soup is a comforting, flavorful, and classic soup perfect for fall and winter months.
This recipe has the perfect balance of sweetness and savory flavors.

The cheese crouton provides a delicious and crispy contrast to the soup.

CONS

This soup is high in sodium, so it may not be suitable for individuals on a low-sodium diet.

The caramelization process for the onions takes some time, so this recipe requires patience.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Onions are packed with antioxidants and have been shown to have anti-inflammatory benefits.
Studies have found that consuming onions may help with bone health and reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.

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