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Rich, hearty broth, crunchy bread and gooey cheese make this bowl of french onion and leek soup pure comfort food goodness.
You wouldn’t build a house starting with the roof right? To have a solid structure you need to start from the ground up. A solid foundation, sturdy walls and it’s not something that can happen overnight. Well, the same philosophy and patience are often needed in the kitchen too.
Have you been to New Orleans and tried the gumbo? It all starts with the roux, a combination of fat and flour that is cooked to a rich, deep brown and serves as the base. I love a gumbo where the roux is cooked for about an hour, allowing the flavors to develop and deepen. Sure, you could spend less time, but in the end your gumbo will be compromised. Good? Maybe. Great? Meh.
Well, we’re not making gumbo today (but boy, do I suddenly have a hankering). Today we’re tackling French onion soup.
When you think of French onion soup what do you picture? Melted cheese bubbling up over the edges of crispy toast? Well, that’s certainly part of it. But eventually you have to crack through that gooey exterior and dig your spoon into the soup. And it better deliver.
Listen, melted cheese and toasty bread are pretty much nirvana to me, so it’s a big deal to want to dig past it to get to something else. But with a little time and just the right combination of ingredients I got there. And yes, this soup is spoon-worthy.
The key to this soup is taking your time to properly caramelize the onions before adding the wine or stock. I like to get those onions all golden and soft before adding in the leeks, shallots or garlic. Once all of those are in the pot and browning up, it’s time for a little brown sugar and shot of vinegar. This adds a subtle sweetness and brings out the umami flavor.
From there it’s wine (I like white), stock (beef for me), fresh herbs (thyme and bay leaf) and finally a glug of port. Also, it’s so important that you season your soup from beginning to end. And taste, taste, taste! There’s no way to know if your seasoning is right unless you get in there!
Feeling inspired? Then it’s time to get building. And all the tools you’ll need for this masterpiece are a pot, knife and spoon! Enjoy!
Rich, hearty broth, crunchy bread and gooey cheese make this bowl of french onion and leek soup pure comfort food goodness.
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 lbs onions, sliced into half moons
- 1 lb leeks, white and pale green parts, sliced into half moons, and washed thoroughly
- 4 oz shallots, diced (about 2 large)
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 Tbsp Wondra flour (or AP fkour)
- 1 Tbsp light brown sugar, packed
- 1 Tbsp sherry vinegar
- 1 1/2 cups dry white wine
- 1 quart beef stock
- 1 Tbsp fresh thyme, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 Tbsp port
- 1 baguette, sliced and lightly toasted
- 8 oz gruyere thinly sliced or grated
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Heat the butter over medium heat in a dutch oven or a large heavy-bottomed pot.
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Add the onions and a dash of salt and cook over medium heat for 15 minutes. The onions should be very soft and pale golden.
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Add the leeks, shallots, and garlic and continue to cook for an additional 15 minutes, stirring often. The mixture should be very soft and golden.
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Reduce the heat to low, stir in the flour, and cook for 2 minutes. Add the light brown sugar, vinegar, and a pinch of salt and cook until onions are a deeply golden and very soft, an additional 15 mins.
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Add the wine, bring to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer. Be sure to scrape up all the brown bits from the bottom of the pot as you deglaze with the wine.
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Pour in the stock and stir in the thyme, bay leaf, salt and pepper (to taste). Cover and simmer for 30 mins.
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Add the port and simmer uncovered an additional 5 mins.
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Slice the baguette into rounds and lightly toast in the oven or a toaster.
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Ladle the soup into oven safe bowls or crocks, top with a couple of rounds of toasted baguette and slices or a good sprinkling of the grated gruyere.
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Turn your broiler up to high and broil the tops until melted and golden brown. Serve immediately.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
I love your analogy about building a house and cooking. So true!! I definitely don’t mind spending time in the kitchen, taking a long time to make something. It’s my happy place and could totally spend all day in there….especially when the end result is something as tasty as this 😉 French onion soup is, without a doubt, a favourite of mine. Caramelized onions, white, herbs, cheese….what more could a girl want, right 🙂 ? Pinned, of course 🙂 !!
Cathy says
It’s what I enjoy the most about the holidays Dawn, days spent buzzing around the kitchen. Sometimes it’s better than the meal!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
Every time I see the cheese and bread on french onion soup, I want to immediately rush to the kitchen and make some. Since it’s only 10 am though, I’ll wait at least an hour 😉 Great recipe and such beautiful photos!
Cathy says
Ha! Nothing wrong with soup for breakfast!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
Wow, does this look good Cathy! It’s one of our favorites! This one is definitely spoon-worthy!
Cathy says
Spoon-worthy for sure Mary Ann! 😉
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says
I love a classic recipe like this bc we should all know how to make this (and I don’t). That gooey cheese is calling my name!
Cathy says
Now you do Karen. Let me know if you give it a go!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
This soup looks incredible!!!! WOW! just pinned!
Cathy says
Thanks Alice! It’s definitely a favorite in our house.
annie@ciaochowbambina says
I’ll never forget the first time I tried French Onion Soup… I was blown away! Making it, of course, one of my all-time favorites! Your recipe and photos tell the story of this amazing offering! WOW!
Cathy says
Thanks Annie. It’s hard to resist anything topped with cheese and bread!
The Sweet Nerd, Cindy says
Nirvana. Carmelized. White Wine…. You hit all the right notes on this one. Feels like I transported to Fall just looking at your beautiful photos. Still hot and sunny here in Cali, but let’s pretend for an evening and join ya’ll in a proper cold evening’s meal.
Cathy says
Just dim the lights and crank the AC. Then it’s french onion soup time!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I LOVE how you compared a great dish to building a home! Great analogy, my dear! French onion soup is one of my favs (I’m pretty sure it’s one of everyone’s), and this looks AMAZING, Cathy! Seriously, I want to face plant into a BIG ole vat of this! LOVE that you added leeks! Your photos are just gorgeous and have me drooling all over the keyboard! Pinned! Cheers, friend!
Cathy says
Thanks Chey! Cheese and bread for the win!
Stephanie@ApplesforCJ says
I love French Onion soup and your recipe looks amazing. I just recently made a big batch myself 🙂
Cathy says
Thanks Stephanie. Nothing better on a cold day!
Claudia | The Brick Kitchen says
OMG these look amazing Cathy! It’s still a bit chilly over here (summer hasn’t quite managed to break through) and I could just imagine sitting down with a warm bowl of this, complete with cheesy croutons. x
Cathy says
Thanks Claudia! This soup makes me happy to welcome chilly temps!