French Onion Soup With An Italian Attitude Food

CLASSIC FRENCH ONION SOUP

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons oil and butter over medium heat. Add onions; cook and stir until softened, 10-13 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring occasionally, until deep golden brown, 30-40 minutes. Add minced garlic; cook 2 minutes longer., Stir in wine. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced by half. Add broth, pepper and salt; return to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour. , Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400°. Place baguette slices on a baking sheet; brush both sides with remaining 3 tablespoons oil. Bake until toasted, 3-5 minutes on each side. Rub toasts with halved garlic. , To serve, place twelve 8-oz. broiler-safe bowls or ramekins on baking sheets; place 2 toasts in each. Ladle with soup; top with cheese. Broil 4 in. from heat until cheese is melted.

FRENCH ONION SOUP

Steps:

• Melt the butter with the olive oil in a large heavy-based pan. Add the onions and fry with the lid on for 10 mins until soft.
• 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.
• Add the garlic cloves for the final few minutes of the onions' cooking time, then sprinkle in the plain flour and stir well.
• Increase the heat and keep stirring as you gradually add the wine, followed by the beef stock. Cover and simmer for 15-20 mins.
• To serve, turn on the grill, and toast the bread. Ladle the soup into heatproof bowls.
• Put a slice or two of toast on top of the bowls of soup, and pile on the gruyère. Grill until melted. Alternatively, you can cook the toasts under the grill, then add them to the soup to serve.

ITALIAN ONION SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a non-stick pot and sauté the garlic, leek and onions for about 30 minutes until golden brown, regularly stirring and scraping the bottom of the pot, turning down the heat after about 10 minutes. (You may need more oil if you are not using a non-stick pot).
• Add the tomatoes, stock, parsley, seasonings and balsamic vinegar. Mix well and bring to the boil. Then simmer for about 20 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 180°C.
• While the soup is cooking, heat a little oil, butter and the remaining 6 cloves of garlic in a heavy-bottomed pan (that can go into the oven).
• Add a couple of handfuls of the day-old bread, cubed and toss until well coated. Then cook in the oven until golden.
• Transfer the croutons to a bowl and toss with a good handful of pecorino whilst still hot.
• To serve, ladle the soup into individual bowls and top with the croutons and an extra sprinkling of cheese.