French Garlic Soup Recipes

THE ULTIMATE MAKEOVER: FRENCH ONION SOUP

Steps:

• Cut the onions in half lengthways, then slice down into very thin slices. Heat a very large pan, add the oil when hot, stir in the onions, 3 of the thyme sprigs and the bay leaves, then season with a little salt. It will seem like a lot of onions, but they reduce right down. Cook over a high heat for 5 mins, stirring often. The onions shouldn't brown yet, just start to soften. Lower the heat, then cook slowly for 35 mins, uncovered, stirring often until the onions have reduced right down and are very soft.
• While the onions are cooking, bring the wine to a boil in a small pan, then bubble away for 30 secs. Remove and leave to cool. Tip the flour into a small heavy pan and toast over a medium heat for a few mins, stirring occasionally, until light brown in colour. Set aside.
• When the onions are very soft and reduced, turn up the heat so they caramelise, then cook for another 12-15 mins, stirring along the bottom of the pan occasionally to mix in the brown sticky bits. When the bottom of the pan and all the onions are sticky and a rich brown colour, stir in the flour. With the heat still high, gradually pour in the wine, again stirring in the bits from the bottom. Pour in 1.2 litres of cold water. Stir in the bouillon, then slowly bring everything to the boil. Skim off any froth from the surface. Simmer for 15 mins so all the flavours can mingle.
• While the soup simmers, make the topping. Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Mix the garlic and the oil together. Brush all over the bread slices, then cut each one into cubes. Scatter over a baking sheet, then bake for 8-10 mins until golden. Set aside. Line a baking sheet with baking parchment or a sheet of non-stick silicone. Remove the leaves from the remaining thyme sprig, then mix with the grated Parmesan. Scatter and spread over the lined baking sheet into a 13 x 8cm rectangle. Bake for about 8 mins until melted and turning golden. Remove, leave to firm up, then snap into jagged pieces.
• To serve, remove and discard the herbs from the soup. Ladle the soup into bowls - scatter over a few croutons, the gruyère and a grinding of pepper, then perch a parmesan crisp on top. Serve any remaining croutons separately.

FRENCH GARLIC SOUP

Steps:

• Remove all the cloves of garlic from the head.
• Take a smallish saucepan and heat to boiling a cup of water; add the cloves of garlic and simmer for about 1 minute - drain, peel the garlic (which should be slightly softened and should peel easily) and cut each clove in half.
• Add garlic cloves to beef broth in saucepan; cover and simmer 10 minutes, or until garlic is soft.
• Remove half of the garlic cloves and reserve.
• To the saucepan add the chicken broth, water, wine, half and half, thyme (crush it with your fingers before adding), and cayenne to broth and heat to a low simmer for 5 minutes.
• With an immersion blender or in a regular blender, puree the soup; season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper, set aside, and keep warm.
• Toast bread on one side under broiler; remove and spread un-toasted sides with butter.
• Mash the reserved half of garlic cloves and spread over the un-toasted and buttered sides of bread; sprinkle with shredded Gruyere cheese.
• Broil toast until brown and bubbly, about 30 seconds (careful, they can burn easily).
• Place a piece of toast in each of the four soup bowls; ladle hot soup over and serve.

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 GARLIC SOUP

Steps:

• Peel all the cloves of garlic.
• In a large sauce pan put all except 1 of the cloves (unchopped) along with the sage, salt & water. Brink to a boil & simmer for 20 minutes.
• Remove garlic cloves & discard the sage. Crush the garlic & return it to the sauce pan, & add the pepper.
• Simmer for another 2 minutes, then poach the eggs in the soup.
• Meanwhile, rub the slices of bread with the remaining garlic clove & toast them in the oven.
• When one side is toasted, put a tablespoon of Gruyere on the UNTOASTED side of each of the slices & then toast that side also.
• In each of 4 bowls, put a piece of toast with cheese, put an egg on top of the cheese, & then the soup is served on top of that.