I wanna make killer Onion Soup......Whatcha Got?

YukonRon

I brag on you chefs all the freakin' time. Time to step up....post a recipe and prove to all, you got it going on.

Well.....I am waiting......

Seriously though, I would like to make it for the 4th of July, and the recipes I have found on the net......Meh.

As always; Thank you in advance.

thetrim

YukonRon

thetrim said:

There ain't a word in the English language that that represents failure, as much as this can, of whatever that is it contains. 

Thank you for posting.

lkapigian

 time permitting I would start with a homemade demi glace, all downhill from there 

https://youtu.be/aFaqxBXIM3E

https://youtu.be/EZe8WvC7gDo

Thatgrimguy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ne2hhWeLSS4

https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/mbwbwb/french-onion-soup-recipe?utm_source=munchieshowtofb

Legume

Tried the foodlab version with instant pot cooked onions.  No bueno, liquified them and there is no good way to manage them while cooking.

TEXASBGE2018

This one is great. I’ve fed this to groups of 20 before and had nothing but compliments

northGAcock

First start with Vidalia onions....which are readily available now.

• In a cast iron skillet, sweat them with butter and some chopped fresh garlic, salt, pepper and a dash or few of L&P Worcestershire Sauce.
• In a separate pot, (I am lazy, so i use) several cans of Campbells Beef Consomme (as opposed to making it myself). You can go half Consomme and half Beef Stock if you prefer....but at least half. Heat on low.
• When the onions have found joy, combine with the liquid and let simmer for an hour or so with top on. 

The end game......

• ladle the soup (hot) into some soup bowls.....
• Top with french bread cubes (I usually cut into cubes and place in oven for about 15 min on low to dry them out a bit). You can also use the bread if several days old without this step).
• Place bread cubes on top of the soup, and grate fresh Parmesan cheese (on top of the croutons.) I go liberally, but this is not the final cheese step
• Top with Swiss Cheese slices (or other cheese of your choice).
• Place in oven (broil) to melt and brown your cheese.
• Pull and let it rest for several minutes (if you can) before finding joy.

Really very simple to make. You have flexibility with your cheeses and breads....but really, your goodness is found in your onions and broth.

Hope this is helpful.

Edit: You can add some red wine but personally, i just drink mine.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

From the food lab:

nolaegghead

do a pho broth, then continue down the path of french onion soup

TTC

2 words. Julia Child

fishlessman

dont have my recipe here but it uses red onions and vidalla onions browned on the stove top and i add in whole roasted cipollinis. some cheap sherry and a splash of cognac doest hurt

Acn

Ours is 2.5 lbs white onion, very thinly sliced.  Melt 1/2 stick butter in your pan, add the onions and 1 tsp sugar.  Saute over medium heat for 20 minutes, until the onions are soft and translucent.

Then add 2 cloves of minced garlic, 2 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp ground black pepper, drop the heat to low and let cook for at least 1 hour 40 minutes, stirring no more than every 20 minutes.  This is the important step; really caramelize the onions and cook them down to a thick paste.

Stir in 2 teaspoons flour and cook for 1 minute.  Add 3/4 c white wine or sherry to loosen any bits.  Add 2 quarts good quality stock (generally we use a good beef broth, but I've made it with turkey or chicken stock from our freezer and it turns out well).  Bring to a boil, decrease the heat to maintain a slow simmer, for 45 minutes.  Add 2 teaspoons sherry vinegar, and taste; add more vinegar, salt, or pepper to your taste.

I am 100% in agreement with the above poster who cut their bread into croutons.  I hate when the slice gets soggy, and you need a knife and fork to cut that, and then a spoon to eat the soup.  If you're doing this for company, we like to pan fry cubed bread in olive oil to make your croutons, but we do usually just bake the cubes on a rack for ease of clean up.  Add a good helping of croutons and cover with shredded gruyere,  broil until cheese is melted and browned to your liking.

OhioEgger

I don't remember where I got this recipe, but I've been using it for years. Always a winner.

French Onion Soup

• 2 TBS butter
• 5 med red onions (3 lbs) sliced thin
• 8 cups Rich Beef Stock  (see below)
• 2 sprigs fresh parsley
• 1 sprig fresh thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 TBS balsamic vinegar

• Melt butter in Dutch oven over med-hi heat
• Add onion and ½ tsp salt. Stir to coat onion with butter
• Reduce onion to syrup and pot has deep brown crust (30-35 min)
• Stir in stock and herbs, scraping bottom with wooden spoon
• Bring to simmer and discard herbs after 20 min
• Stir in vinegar and add salt/pepper to taste.

Rich Beef Stock

• 2 TBS olive oil
• 6 lbs beef shank or 4 lbs chuck & 2 lbs marrow bones
• 1 large onion, halved
• 1 cup dark beer
• 2 quarts boiling water (or more to fill pot)
• 2 tsps salt

• Heat oil in Dutch oven over med-hi heat
• Brown meat and onion (15-20 min)
• Add beer to empty pot and reduce to syrup (1-2 min)
• Return bones, meat, onion to pot
• Reduce heat to low, cover, leave for 20 min
• Raise heat to med-hi, add water and salt
• Bring to simmer, reduce heat to low, partially cover and simmer gently 2 hours
• Discard onions and bones, remove meat, strain liquid into bowl
• Shred half of meat for use in soup, save rest for sandwiches
• Defat stock.

paqman

I haven’t read the posts above so hopefully it has not already been posted but the Ruhlman recipe from his book Twenty is delicious.  No beef broth/stock in the recipe so you get a pure super rich caramelized onions flavor.  Somewhat long process though.

https://ruhlman.com/2011/10/06/french-onion-soup-recipe/

bangor307

I use purple onions cooked low and slow in butter. Do not overcook them regardless of what some recipes call for. A light golden brown is perfect. Deglaze with a cup of red wine and cook down to about half of the wine left. Add in fresh thyme and if you don't want to spend a couple of days making a pho or demi glace this is a good broth you can get in the store.

https://www.pacificfoods.com/our-products/bone-broths/organic-bone-broth-beef/

Cook down until semi thick, add salt pepper and a bit more dried thyme. A good sourdough bread toasted on top of the bowls you have put the soup in and top with Gruyere cheese. Under the broiler until melted but not burnt. 

Simple but tasty. 

HeavyG

I'm partial to the Cook's Illustrated french onion soup.

You'll spend a few hours browning the onions - most of that time is in a dutch oven in the oven but the results are worth it.

I'll occasionally just do the browned onions part of the recipe just to make a jar full of that deliciousness for use on burgers, etc.

If you're not a subscriber to Cook's Illustrated ere's a link not behind their paywall - https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/best-french-onion-soup-cooks-illustrated-5c89d551e134d95bd901be5e

Botch

HeavyG said:

If you're not a subscriber to Cook's Illustrated here's a link not behind their paywall - https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/best-french-onion-soup-cooks-illustrated-5c89d551e134d95bd901be5e

Thanks for that.  I have been a subscriber to CI since '99, but my mag subscription still does not give me access to their website, will have to check again tomorrow.  

CtTOPGUN

 French onion soup is one of those things that is quite simple in the ingredients. It just needs those to be high quality ingredients. And then don't rush the preparation.


   Jim

Sameday

Watch chef show on Netflix.  They make onion soup. Pretty entertaining show too.  

SciAggie

Bump and question - did you make it yet?
@YukonRon

northGAcock

SciAggie said:

Bump and question - did you make it yet?
@YukonRon

Kinda left us hanging.......must be out shoppin for peach preserves. 

Ozzie_Isaac

My one piece of advice, make sure all the tough outer onion peel is gone.  I over peel when making FOS because a stray tough onion peel ruins the whole soup for me.

SciAggie

@Ozzie_Isaac I agree. I usually cull a few onion strands when I’m caramelizing them. 

YukonRon

I have not made any yet. I am making it for Suzy more than me. I kinda got derailed with the events in Louisville.

Another run on the stores to stock up has started around here due to the fear of another upcoming lockdown due to the virus.

This city has gone berserk. When I get started, I will make each, and post her favorite. 

Thinking freezing some and using them for ice in Robin's Bloody Maries......

CigarCityEgger

thetrim said:

On an unrelated note. I’ve substituted these cans for broth in my holiday stuffing recipe and it is absolutely amazing. 

CigarCityEgger

Somewhat related. Best french onion soup I’ve ever had was at Bon Appetit in Dunedin FL.

Ozzie_Isaac

YukonRon said:

I have not made any yet. I am making it for Suzy more than me. I kinda got derailed with the events in Louisville.

Another run on the stores to stock up has started around here due to the fear of another upcoming lockdown due to the virus.

This city has gone berserk. When I get started, I will make each, and post her favorite. 

Thinking freezing some and using them for ice in Robin's Bloody Maries......

In my town, they put a moritorium on COVID when the riots started.  So, you could maybe vote at a city council meeting for what you want.  COVID or riots.  They seem mutually exclusive.

tcmagee

I also like the Cook's Illustrated recipe.  I have made it  many times and it is always good.  I also take some of the soup and dilute it a bit with water, booze, beer, etc and braise a beef chuck, pork shoulder or any other slab in this liquid with a bunch of extra onions.  The whole pot makes great sandwiches on a crust roll.  

pgprescott

Standing by. 

I’ve always thought you have to use sherry in the recipe to distinguish the soup. 

CtTOPGUN

pgprescott said:

Standing by. 

I’ve always thought you have to use sherry in the recipe to distinguish the soup. 

 I have used Port wine most times if I plan it. Sherry or Cognac or Brandy as next choices. Always something good in the house. Alton Brown suggested apple cider which I tried and liked as well.