Traditional And Regional Soups: French Onion
This hot crock of caramelized onions lathered in melted cheese is certainly enough to get any soup lover’s mouth watering with anticipation. The iconic French onion soup has been around for centuries and although versions of onion soups may vary, a bowl of this cheesy delight cannot be beat. The modern version of French onion soup is traced back to 18th-century France where the soup was easy to make and utilized bread that was becoming stale. Some of the main ingredients, like French bread and gruyere, are classic French staples that helped this soup rise to the iconic level it has.
This delectable soup has contrasting textures that take the flavor experience to a whole new level. With sweet caramelized onions, crisp croutes – made from a sliced French baguette -soaking up the broth, and creamy gruyere cheese melted over top, it’s hard to find a more satisfying soup on a chilly fall day. While beef and chicken stock are generally used to add complexity to the flavor, vegetable stock may be substituted to create a vegetarian version of the soup. What really makes this soup stand out is the bubbly and browned covering of cheese that encloses the bowl. Sometimes you need something a little heftier than just a spoon to break through this layer of deliciousness and need to grab for a knife.
Although this soup can be found on the menu of many restaurants, making it at home or in your online short course is always more satisfying. Plus, you can make extra (just leave the croutes and cheese off) and freeze it for a rainy day. Then, when you need something to lift your spirits, you can heat up the soup, throw it in the broiler with some cheese and watch your day turn right around. A good bowl of French onion soup is just as elegant as it is comforting and although it is easy to make, it is a rather impressive presentation to share with guests.
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