Altons French Onion Soup Attacked By Sandi Food

FRENCH ONION SOUP

Steps:

• Trim the ends off each onion then halve lengthwise. Remove peel and finely slice into half-moon shapes. Set electric skillet to 300 degrees and add butter. Once butter has melted add a layer of onions and sprinkle with a little salt. Repeat layering onions and salt until all onions are in the skillet. Do not try stirring until onions have sweated down for 15 to 20 minutes. After that, stir occasionally until onions are dark mahogany and reduced to approximately 2 cups. This should take 45 minutes to 1 hour. Do not worry about burning.
• Add enough wine to cover the onions and turn heat to high, reducing the wine to a syrup consistency. Add consomme, chicken broth, apple cider and bouquet garni. Reduce heat and simmer 15 to 20 minutes.
• Place oven rack in top 1/3 of oven and heat broiler.
• Cut country bread in rounds large enough to fit mouth of oven safe soup crocks. Place the slices on a baking sheet and place under broiler for 1 minute.
• Season soup mixture with salt, pepper and cognac. Remove bouquet garni and ladle soup into crocks leaving one inch to the lip. Place bread round, toasted side down, on top of soup and top with grated cheese. Broil until cheese is bubbly and golden, 1 to 2 minutes.

ALTON'S FRENCH ONION SOUP ATTACKED BY SANDI

Steps:

• Trim the ends off each onion then halve lengthwise. Remove peel and finely slice into half moon shapes.
• Set electric skillet to 300 degrees (or large stock pot to medium-high) and add butter. Once butter has melted add a layer of onions and sprinkle with a little salt. Repeat layering onions and salt until all onions are in the skillet. Do not stir until onions have sweated down for about 15 minutes.
• After that, stir occasionally until onions are dark mahogany and reduced to approximately 2 cups. This should take roughly 30 minutes. Do not worry about burning and keep yer darn hands out of the onions! I kept eating them when they'd get all dark and tempting.
• Add enough wine to cover the onions and turn heat to high, reducing the wine to a syrup consistency. Add chicken and beef broths, garlic powder and bouquet garni. Reduce heat and simmer 15 to 20 minutes.
• Place oven rack in top 1/3 of oven and heat broiler.
• Cut country bread in rounds large enough to fit mouth of oven safe soup crocks. Put a thin layer of butter on each slice. Place the slices on a baking sheet and place under broiler for 1 minute. Turn over and toast unbuttered side for an additional minute or until browned.
• Season soup mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Remove bouquet garni and ladle soup into crocks leaving one inch to the lip. Place bread round on top of soup and top with blended Emmenthaler and gruyere grated cheeses. Broil until cheese is bubbly and golden, 1 to 4 minutes depending on your preference. I like mine REALLY dark and partially crispy!

FRENCH ONION SOUP

Steps:

• Trim the ends off each onion then slice from end to end. Remove peel and finely slice into half moon shapes. Set electric skillet to 300 degrees and add butter. Once butter has melted add a layer of onions and sprinkle with a little salt. Repeat layering onions and salt until all onions are in the skillet. Do not try stirring until onions have sweated down for 15 to 20 minutes. After that, stir occasionally until onions are dark mahogany and reduced to approximately 2 cups. This should take 45 minutes to 1 hour. Do not worry about burning.
• Add enough wine to cover the onions and turn heat to high, reducing the wine to a syrup consistency. Add consume, chicken broth, apple cider and bouquet garni. Reduce heat and simmer 15 to 20 minutes.
• Place oven rack in top 1/3 of oven and heat broiler.
• Cut country bread in rounds large enough to fit mouth of oven safe soup crocks. Place the slices on a baking sheet and place under broiler for 1 minute.
• Season soup mixture with salt, pepper and cognac. Ladle soup into crocks leaving one inch to the lip. Place bread round, toasted side down, on top of soup and top with grated cheese. Broil until cheese is bubbly and golden, 1 to 2 minutes.

FRENCH ONION SOUP

Steps:

• In a large saucepot, melt butter in olive oil and cook onions over medium-high until nicely softened. Add thyme.
• Pour in port and allow to cook mostly off.
• Add beef broth, salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil and simmer 5 - 10 minutes.
• Pour into soup bowls. Top with snug-fitting slice of bread (toasting helps it stay afloat) and shredded cheese.
• Broil until cheese is golden. Serve immediately.