Roasted Onion Soup With Goats Cheese Toasts Recipes

FOUR-ONION GINGER SOUP WITH GOAT CHEESE TOASTS

Steps:

• In a large high-sided skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat, turning occasionally, until crisp, about 10 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Pour off all but 1 1/2 tablespoons fat; reserve for another use.
• Add the onions and ginger to the skillet; cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes. Add the shallots and sage. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally as onions reduce, until they are very soft and caramelized, about 1 hour. (Add a few tablespoons stock or water if the onions start to stick to the skillet.)
• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Pour the stock into the skillet, and bring it to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, and cook 15 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, cut each bread half diagonally into 6 1/2-inch-thick pieces. Brush with oil; season with salt and pepper. Arrange on a baking sheet, and toast in the oven until golden, about 20 minutes.
• Spread the toasts with goat cheese; top each with a bacon slice. Divide the soup among 6 bowls; garnish with sage leaves, and serve each with 2 toasts on the side.
• Dark Chicken Stock
• Preheat the oven to 450°F. Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in a large roasting pan. Roast, turning once halfway through, until skins are golden brown and crisp, about 1 1/2 hours. Add the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic; roast 30 minutes more. Transfer to a large stockpot; set aside.
• Pour 1 cup water into the roasting pan; bring to a boil over high heat. Deglaze the pan, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon; pour the liquid into the pot. Add the bay leaves, peppercorns, parsley, and 3 1/2 quarts water; bring to a boil over high heat, skimming foam from surface. Reduce heat; simmer 3 hours.
• Remove the solids from the stock; discard. Strain the stock through a fine sieve into a large bowl. Let cool completely. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate until the fat has risen to surface. Skim off fat before using.

CARAMELIZED RED ONION SOUP WITH GOAT CHEESE CROSTINI

Steps:

• Heat a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Spray the pan with non-stick cooking spray and add onions, garlic, sugar, and thyme; season with salt and pepper.
• Cook, stirring often, until onions are quite soft but haven't begun to color, about 25 minutes.
• Pour in the wine and deglaze the pan, stirring with a spoon to loosen browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer over medium heat until the liquid has evaporated, about 15 minutes.
• Add the broth and simmer over medium heat until reduced to about 4 cups, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, spread goat cheese on the toasted bread slices.
• Ladle soup into 4 warmed bowls and float 2 toasts in each bowl. Garnish with thyme sprigs if desired.
• Serve hot.

ONION SOUP WITH CHEESE TOASTS

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven or other heavy 5-quart pot, heat butter and oil over medium. Add onions and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions have softened, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Uncover and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are dark golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes more. (If bottom of pot gets too dry, add about 1/4 cup water, and scrape up browned bits with a wooden spoon.)
• Add port, and cook until syrupy, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in broths and 2 cups water; season with salt and pepper, and bring to a simmer. Serve with Cheese Toasts.
• To make Cheese Toasts: Heat broiler, with rack set 4 inches from heat. Place 8 1/2-in-thick slices of baguette on a broilerproof baking sheet. Dividing evenly, sprinkle with 1 cup coarsely grated Gruyere cheese. Broil until cheese is golden, 2 to 4 minutes.