French Onion Soup | Recipe | Soup

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGY895fsHhL8X1rCW42EU1co9Nmq2i2p6jIsM3u5k0Z4zcWJsoBi8642E2tqFXZ-4zb9rrzAP1TDQ3Aj5-rIsjVK4YX6vFmogDdXqO0RBos54L-WR7uYIRT1wT2IPC-AbGP_m0gwzSE0zo/s1600/French-Dip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGY895fsHhL8X1rCW42EU1co9Nmq2i2p6jIsM3u5k0Z4zcWJsoBi8642E2tqFXZ-4zb9rrzAP1TDQ3Aj5-rIsjVK4YX6vFmogDdXqO0RBos54L-WR7uYIRT1wT2IPC-AbGP_m0gwzSE0zo/s640/French-Dip.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Mike never gets super excited when he asks what's for dinner and I reply, "Soup and Sandwiches."  Somehow this combo became known as lady's luncheon fare.  However, if I say "<a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/08/french-dip-sandwiches-with-french-onion.html">French Dips</a> & French Onion Soup" it is a different story... he's thrilled.  Maybe it is the presence of beef, or a soup loaded with onions and topped with cheese that says 'manly meal?'<br /><br />French Onion Soup couldn't be easier to make.  The only prep work is slicing some onions and pouring in various liquids.  It is a great quick dinner during the week, but also makes a very elegant first course for a dinner party.  This soup freezes nicely.  I like to freeze it in individual bowls, then reheat it with <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/08/french-dip-sandwiches-with-french-onion.html">French Dip Sandwiches</a> for a very quick dinner.  <br /><br />French Onion Soup<br /><i>serves 4-6</i> <br /><br />6 cups (3-4 onions) of yellow onions (vidalia, if available), halved and sliced<br />6 tablespoons of butter<br /><a name="more"></a><br />64 oz. of Beef Broth (typically 1 box)<br />1 cup of red wine (optional)<br />3 bay leaves<br />1 teaspoon of fresh thyme leaves (1/2 teaspoon if dry)<br />1 teaspoon of sea salt<br />1 teaspoon of sugar (plus more, if desired)<br />.........<br />crusty french bread<br />provolone cheese, sliced<br /><br />Begin by cooking the onions in the butter in a deep pot on medium heat until they begin to caramelize and turn brown in color.  Stir them continuously while they cook to avoid burning.  It should take 10 minutes to caramelize the onions.  Add beef broth, wine, bay leaves, thyme, salt and sugar.  Bring to a simmer and heat for at least 15 minutes.  Lower heat. <br /><br />To serve, ladle soup into an oven proof bowl.  Top it with a slice of crusty bread and provolone cheese.  Place under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until the cheese becomes bubbly. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvXmWRxRbLFlHV0d1u9Nnq-2rZPThUbRZehFajfKiaD5fSVq67k3-HjKzDyQRuxfpI-U8Suu49_vN2mCGahrn8fq0oOvbxpFti9_qK8YyDO2YC2kV-lGJFqAKPaSagUBTqbdtkYdaenRD/s1600/IMG_5463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvXmWRxRbLFlHV0d1u9Nnq-2rZPThUbRZehFajfKiaD5fSVq67k3-HjKzDyQRuxfpI-U8Suu49_vN2mCGahrn8fq0oOvbxpFti9_qK8YyDO2YC2kV-lGJFqAKPaSagUBTqbdtkYdaenRD/s320/IMG_5463.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I recommend serving it with a <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/08/french-dip-sandwiches-with-french-onion.html">French Dip Sandwich.  Here is the recipe</a>!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

French Onion Soup | Recipe | Soup

Mike never gets super excited when he asks what's for dinner and I reply, "Soup and Sandwiches."  Somehow this combo became kn...

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Holiday Entertaining | Soup Supper! | Easy Holiday Entertaining

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDy4DDUDNJk-JayXESrKUHZiUaau43HG5UOpYTLJ5Mu9XpJTJ-BC2sMqeEzT1pVYUyJ-g5O9_wAGXvu8senk-G_EqVoBCMtXbhwGsf8K5420ki3rBM-VxeFNX6XXhNlbMEOatUolkIek_/s1600/IMG_2572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDy4DDUDNJk-JayXESrKUHZiUaau43HG5UOpYTLJ5Mu9XpJTJ-BC2sMqeEzT1pVYUyJ-g5O9_wAGXvu8senk-G_EqVoBCMtXbhwGsf8K5420ki3rBM-VxeFNX6XXhNlbMEOatUolkIek_/s640/IMG_2572.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>A couple of weeks ago, I did a soup supper for a benefit holiday show.  I think it is a great option for easy entertaining this holiday season.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbulHeERDqQ2PElouBwEY373Cbkd6clW0onwCImqHqRclKqj_Bnz2-3_vNddbCucybvP9CKq7CU_Msr55GlaRZd8ROKQHN-Rvbe0bmQObGAXGQqOtQq14fH2GZSt_YK1eaVeCrEwYDHqJa/s1600/IMG_2567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbulHeERDqQ2PElouBwEY373Cbkd6clW0onwCImqHqRclKqj_Bnz2-3_vNddbCucybvP9CKq7CU_Msr55GlaRZd8ROKQHN-Rvbe0bmQObGAXGQqOtQq14fH2GZSt_YK1eaVeCrEwYDHqJa/s640/IMG_2567.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I prepared two soups : Baked Potato Soup & Minestrone<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0i69SK3Pgat7zsCAB6sTpFQ82BCNxSzP5j3vj-vyk-lvMgl0CQqHwQSX9GoF-wp1I_D8fPguDjFSi4tWAXvFcG0ZD71KeNkCgDte9DMaGdVjukveObhHtRrj8t2P5YMvdFg481Nci8HZS/s1600/IMG_2570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0i69SK3Pgat7zsCAB6sTpFQ82BCNxSzP5j3vj-vyk-lvMgl0CQqHwQSX9GoF-wp1I_D8fPguDjFSi4tWAXvFcG0ZD71KeNkCgDte9DMaGdVjukveObhHtRrj8t2P5YMvdFg481Nci8HZS/s640/IMG_2570.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I set up a food table to display the soup and provided "To-Go" soups for everyone to take home - what a great gift to a busy family!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudfUEZVEhs4AlbELuigseX5UVImSdjORYzp-EO68VX2OQUI4mGqmVmz_nIqxvCiuO17dxHJYirofSJYcJoY29ytqlG1nWhAqEYWE-kAR0kfEO5ik4Tgq2TNnOgdb-UpmmWEh_Bqn-N1iI/s1600/IMG_2571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudfUEZVEhs4AlbELuigseX5UVImSdjORYzp-EO68VX2OQUI4mGqmVmz_nIqxvCiuO17dxHJYirofSJYcJoY29ytqlG1nWhAqEYWE-kAR0kfEO5ik4Tgq2TNnOgdb-UpmmWEh_Bqn-N1iI/s640/IMG_2571.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGVs-JsHb55lPrU4GnJjSjGGDSwlSF86dZGlwQ5Uao9GX6gASZFXhHhOQov_KA6d_LiJmMJabx-NxVEQNq7WCdPXh0bXc-IRSxGH_AnndUooZ3sFCteQNeU929vNuqqXraKKl63ACV4Ht/s1600/IMG_2577.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGVs-JsHb55lPrU4GnJjSjGGDSwlSF86dZGlwQ5Uao9GX6gASZFXhHhOQov_KA6d_LiJmMJabx-NxVEQNq7WCdPXh0bXc-IRSxGH_AnndUooZ3sFCteQNeU929vNuqqXraKKl63ACV4Ht/s640/IMG_2577.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Baked Potato Soup<br /><br />1 cup of butter<br />1 cup of flour<br />4 cups of half & half<br />4 cups of whole milk<br />salt & pepper<br />4 cups of red potatoes, 1 inch cubes<br /><br />Cook potatoes in water until tender - about 8 minutes.  Drain potatoes and set aside.<br /><br />In a sauce pan, melt butter, then add flour over low heat and whisk until smooth.  Let the flour cook for just a minute - be careful not to burn!  Whisk in heavy cream - adding it all at once.  Whisk until smooth, then add in milk.  Bring the soup to a simmer, stirring constantly.  Add potatoes just before serving.  Keep the heat on low and be careful not to scorch the bottom.<br /><br />Optional garnish :<br />cheddar cheese<br />bacon, cooked & cubed<br />green onions<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSiCPrGITuDCeAIK1wP-unW6vE2YA-BIcbRlaNiHObjo1gNSNJ_hFMfIy2JSfvxOAjIVPYIGcfq70mEmT_qlzMMyfy0RNly82zpPEAq87gleefuRfEuLCFvCkqDYOKk6jj2o_bI5qZre4/s1600/IMG_2578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSiCPrGITuDCeAIK1wP-unW6vE2YA-BIcbRlaNiHObjo1gNSNJ_hFMfIy2JSfvxOAjIVPYIGcfq70mEmT_qlzMMyfy0RNly82zpPEAq87gleefuRfEuLCFvCkqDYOKk6jj2o_bI5qZre4/s640/IMG_2578.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Minestrone Soup<br /><br />1/4 pound of bacon, cubed<br />2 tablespoons of olive oil<br />1/2 cup of onions, 1/2 inch dice<br />2 cups of carrots, 1/2 inch dice<br />2 cups of celery, 1/2 inch dice<br />2 cups of fresh green beens, 1/2 inch dice<br />6 cups of chicken stock<br />1 - 12 ounce can of whole tomatoes<br />4 cups of cabbage, shredded<br />3 cups of spinach<br />1/2 pound of pasta<br />salt & pepper<br />fresh basil<br />parmesan cheese<br /><br />In a large stock pot, cook bacon in olive oil, then add onion, carrots, celery and green beans.  Cook for about 4 minutes until they are tender.  Add chicken stock (may need more or less depending on desired consistency).  Add tomatoes one at a time, but crushing them (squeezing) into the pot.  Bring to a simmer.  Add the cabbage, pasta and salt & pepper.  Cook for 10-15 minutes until pasta is tender.  Add spinach just before serving.  Served garnished with basil & parmesan.

Holiday Entertaining | Soup Supper! | Easy Holiday Entertaining

A couple of weeks ago, I did a soup supper for a benefit holiday show.  I think it is a great option for easy entertaining this holiday seas...

Read more »