| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 60 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 400 | 22g | 10g | 35g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 10g | 5g | 15g | 1g |
Why I Love American Vegetarian Onion Soup
As I nestled into the cozy warmth of my sunlit kitchen in California, there was one faithful recipe I found myself leaning towards again and again – the comforting allure of Vegetarian Onion Soup. It’s the kind of delightful dish that’s as homely as a classic pot pie and has the ability to warm you up from the inside out, much like how the gentle Californian sun touches the valley vineyards.
A Heart-Warming Connection
Bringing together the coziness of classic American comfort food with a fresh Californian, health-conscious twist, the Vegetarian Onion Soup is more than just a simple array of ingredients to me. This soup was one of the first dishes I made for my three adopted children, making its recipe a collection of heart-warming memories and cherished moments.
There are flavors of the quintessential French Onion Soup in this dish, thanks to the oozy goodness of Gruyere cheese and the velvety broth, but without the classic beef base. It has those moments of inspired adaptation that brings to mind the recipes of the iconic Chef Julia Child. Despite not being the direct inspiration for this soup, her adventurous spirit in the kitchen and ability to make French cuisine accessible to all certainly play a part.
The Soul of the Dish
The soul of this soup lies in its base – a caramelized concoction of onions sweetened with a hint of sugar, sauteed to perfection in a mixture of olive oil and butter. Their natural sweetness is enhanced, turning humble onions into a flavorful powerhouse. The essence of garlic, bay leaf, and thyme mixed in adds an aromatic depth. It’s a melody of flavors that sings on your tongue and embraced by the white wine infused vegetable broth that adds its own unique note.
This soup pairs wonderfully with a fresh salad as a lighter option, or a hearty avocado toast. Equally so, it is delectable by itself, lusciously filling and soul-soothingly delicious. Try it for your next family dinner or a quiet evening by the fireplace – you would be amazed at how this cooking experience brings about a sense of culinary satisfaction and a homey warmth, much like my own Californian kitchen.
So, tuck in, dear readers. Bring out that baguette, ladle in your soup, heap on the Gruyere, and savor the incomparable comfort brought by the delightful Vegetarian Onion Soup. Not only does it taste divine, but it also carries a piece of my heart and my home that I share with you through each recipe here on Your Gourmet Guru.
What You’ll Need
- 10 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 8 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 French baguette, sliced
- 2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese
Method
Step One
To start with the Vegetarian Onion Soup, begin by slicing the 10 large onions thinly and mincing the 2 cloves of garlic.
Step Two
Place a large pot over medium heat, add 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Once melted, add the sliced onions and minced garlic into the pot.
Step Three
Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of sugar over the onions and garlic. Keep stirring and cook them until they become soft and start to caramelize, it might take approximately 25-30 minutes.
Step Four
Once the onions have caramelized, stir in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, ensure all onions are coated.
Step Five
Pour in the 8 cups of vegetable broth, 1 cup of dry white wine, 1 bay leaf and 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste, bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat for it to simmer.
Step Six
Simmer the soup for about 30 minutes, allowing the flavors of the ingredients to meld together. After it’s done simmering, gently stir the soup.
Step Seven
Lightly toast slices of the French baguette and set them aside.
Step Eight
Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls, place the toasted baguette slices over the soup in each bowl and sprinkle generously with the shredded Gruyere cheese.
Step Nine
Place the bowls under the broiler in your oven until the cheese is melted and lightly browned. The Vegetarian Onion Soup is ready to be served hot. Enjoy!
