Recipe: Fantastic French Onion Soup

Thursday, 1 December 2022 17:00

By Mary Goodsell

This go-to party dish is a full-of-flavour French classic and a favourite of Mary Goodsell as a perfect prep-ahead dish for the festive season

Ingredients:

2 tbsp olive oil

6 large onions, peeled and finely sliced

2 tsp fresh or dried thyme leaves, plus extra for garnish

500ml (17fl oz) dry cider (non-alcoholic cider works too)

1 tsp demerara sugar

1.5 litres (50fl oz) good quality vegetable stock

6 small slices chunky white bread (sourdough works really well)

150g (5oz) Gruyère or a hard cheese of your choice, grated

Salt and black pepper to taste

Method:

Gently heat the olive oil in a large heavy based pan. Add the onions, thyme and a large pinch of salt. Cover with a lid and cook over a low heat for approximately 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until the onions have completely softened. Don’t rush this step, as this is where the depth of flavour comes from in the soup.
Pour the cider over the onions and add the sugar. Turn up the heat and let it simmer, stirring regularly, until the cider has evaporated, and the onions are well caramelised. This will take just over 30 minutes.
Add the vegetable stock and heat through. Season to taste.
Preheat the grill on a medium heat. Place your bread slices onto a baking tray and lightly toast both sides under the grill. Divide the cheese into equal portions on top of the toast. Place them under the grill again until melted.
Serve in warmed soup bowls, topping each bowl with a generous helping of black pepper, fresh thyme leaves and even more cheese!

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Recipe: Fantastic French Onion Soup

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