Using Shallots In Soup Recipes

FRENCH SHALLOT SOUP

Steps:

• Slice the shallots in 1/4 inch slices, down to the root end. Toss the sliced shallots (onions) in a light coating of olive oil, a few grinds of black pepper and a good sprinkle of kosher salt. Put in a non-stick roasting pan or oven proof skillet and set in a 350 degree oven. Now all you have to do is leave the onions for about 45 minutes. Don't touch, don't move, don't shake - just leave them. This is what gives them caramalization - which gives them the depth of flavor that is needed for a great onion soup. It's also what makes it a soup to make for quiet days - there's not much to do! After the first 45 minutes, check the shallots, tossing to assess the browning. If there is just slight browning, return to the oven, checking every 10 minutes, until there is a lot of deep brown color, but not dried out or burnt.
• Bring the beef stock, water, brandy, thyme and bay leaf to a simmer. Add the braised shallots, and simmer for 45 minutes then taste for salt and pepper. If using fresh thyme, remove the stems. Preheat your broiler to high.
• As the broiler is heating up, time to prepare the cheese and bread - the two other components to this triumverate of a soup. Use the best Emmenthaler you can afford - this is a cave-aged Swiss Emmenthaler from a wonderful local cheese purveyor, Joppa Fine Foods. Because their artisinal cheeses vary by season I have used many different Emmenthalers for this soup, but always it is flavorful! My favorite way to use the cheese is to shred some to put directly on the soup, as well as full slices to place directly on the croutons.
• Put some nice thick slices of baguette under the broiler as it is heating up, just to toast lightly on both sides. Ladle soup into some bowls or crocks, add the toasted baguette slices and cover with the shredded/sliced Emmenthaler. Place under the broiler until bubbly and lightly browned - just a few minutes.

SHALLOT SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a saucepan, add the shallots and cook slowly for 10-15 minutes until lightly caramelized. Add the garlic and thyme, cook for a further 2 minutes.
• Add the stock and potato, season well. Bring to the boil and simmer gently until the potatoes are cooked.
• Add the cream and pour into a food processor. Process until smooth. Serve with chopped parsley.

ROASTED GARLIC AND SHALLOT SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Combine unpeeled garlic heads and unpeeled shallots in large bowl, pour the olive oil over them and toss to coat. Season generously with salt and pepper and place them in a single layer in a baking dish along with any oil remaining in bowl. Cover with foil and bake 35 minutes. If shallots are soft by then, remove them. Bake them a little longer if necessary. Continue baking the garlic another 30 minutes or so until it is soft. Allow garlic and shallots to cool.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a heavy three- to four-quart saucepan. Add onions and cook gently for 15 minutes. Do not allow to brown. Add peeled, unroasted shallots and peeled garlic cloves. Cook over low heat 10 minutes longer. Add potatoes, about 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste, the chicken stock, cream and thyme. Cover and cook about 40 minutes, until potatoes are very soft.
• Peel roasted shallots. Cut roasted garlic heads in half horizontally and squeeze in a potato ricer or by hand to extract the soft pulp. Add garlic pulp and shallots to saucepan and cook 10 minutes longer.
• Puree the soup in a blender or food processor. Season to taste with salt and pepper and, if desired, adjust the consistency of the soup with some additional stock, cream or milk or water. Reheat before serving.

POTATO SOUP WITH CARAMELIZED SHALLOTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Rub garlic heads with 1 tablespoon oil. Place in small baking dish; cover with foil. Bake until garlic is tender, about 1 hour. Cut tops off garlic; squeeze out roasted garlic and reserve.
• Heat 4 tablespoons oil in heavy large pot over medium-low heat. Add leeks, onions and celery; sauté until tender but not brown, about 20 minutes. Add coriander; stir 2 minutes. Add potatoes; stir 2 minutes. Add roasted garlic and 8 cups stock; bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer until potatoes are very tender, about 20 minutes. Cool slightly. Working in batches, puree soup in blender. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Chill, then cover.)
• Heat 3 tablespoons oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add shallots; sauté until deep golden, about 15 minutes.
• Bring soup to simmer in heavy large pot. Thin with more stock, if desired. Season with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls. Top with caramelized shallots.

CARAMELIZED-SHALLOT SOUP

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add shallots and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and saute, stirring occasionally, until tender and caramelized, 25 to 30 minutes. Add wine, and cook until it evaporates. Add bay leaf and broths, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer until soup is reduced by one-third, 25 to 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add chestnuts, and saute until crisp, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl; let cool. Add cheese and parsley, and toss with a fork.
• Ladle soup into 6 bowls; top each with chestnut mixture.