Simple comfort food is just what we need in the depths of winter.
French onion soup is easy to make yet rich, luxurious and deeply comforting. The delicious combination of sweet caramelised onions and rich beef broth, topped off with a melted cheesy crouton is the perfect warm dish to enjoy after a chilly walk.
Ingredients
- 50g Quicke’s Whey Butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1kg onions, halved and thinly sliced
- 1 tsp sugar
- 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp plain flour
- 250ml dry white wine
- 1.3l hot strongly-flavoured beef stock
- 4-8 slices baguette (depending on size)
- 140g Quicke’s Vintage Cheddar, finely grated
Method
1.Melt the Quicke’s Whey Butter with the olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the onions and fry with the lid on for 10 mins until soft.
2.Sprinkle in the sugar and cook for 20 mins more, stirring frequently, until caramelised. The onions should be really golden, full of flavour and soft when pinched between your fingers. Take care towards the end to ensure that they don’t burn.
3.Add the garlic cloves for the final few minutes of the onions’ cooking time, then sprinkle in the plain flour and stir well.
4.Increase the heat and keep stirring as you gradually add the wine, followed by the beef stock. Cover and simmer for 15-20 mins.
5.To serve, turn on the grill, and toast the bread. Ladle the soup into heatproof bowls.
6.Put a slice or two of toast on top of the bowls of soup, and pile on the Quicke’s Vintage Cheddar. Grill until melted. Alternatively, you can cook the toasts under the grill, then add them to the soup to serve.
