French Onion Soup-Again.

Now, don't get your shorts in a bunch. I know you're thinking, "how many variations on french onion soup are there?" But, I read an article on seriouseats.com that a friend recommended and the article suggested cooking the onions in a little bit of caramelized sugar to make them a little more sweet. Makes sense, right? Ok, it does sound a little weird, but go with me on this...


Here's the dish.

1 tsp sugar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tsp unsalted butter
half yellow onion, use the northern hemisphere and cut along the longitude lines....make sense?
salt and pepper
1 cup beef broth
1/2 cup cubed french bread
1/3 cup-ish shredded gouda

1. In a skillet, pour sugar and cook over medium heat. Be patient. The sugar needs to heat up, turn a little bit brown and then it'll get to it's melting point. When it starts melting, stir it just a little to pick up the stray sugar granules. You'll notice the sugar starting to brown some. When it has turned honey colored, you're good!
2. Add the olive oil to the pan and let it heat up. NO, the sugar and oil will not mix. You should stir them some so they don't burn, but don't expect them to blend.
3. After the oil heats up (about 3 minutes or so) add the butter. Things will mix together a bit better now. AND THEY SHOULD SMELL AMAZING! Stir everything together and as the butter melts, add the onions.
4. Toss the onions to coat in the heavenly mixture and then add salt and pepper (just a little bit for flavor. Cook the onions until they are tender.
5. Add the broth and simmer for a few minutes.
6. Pour soup mixture into oven safe bowl, top with bread cubes and top with shredded gouda. Cook under the broiler for about 7 minutes or until the cheese melts. (Gouda melts really well so keep an eye on it so the cheese doesn't burn!!)


I can honestly tell you that this was the first time I have ever successfully caramelized sugar. Seriously. It takes patience and I think I usually give up before I get the sugar hot enough. The sugar makes a huge difference when it comes to the onions though!! If you're just going to caramelize onions for something else, add a little bit of sugar. It's worth it! Also, check out seriouseats.com they've got a lot of awesome stuff on there!!!


Happy Cooking, y'all!!

Amy