Cheesy French Onion Soup with Potatoes

Cheesy French Onion Soup with Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 4 large onions, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 8 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version)
• 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
• 2-3 large russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 baguette, sliced into rounds
• 2 cups shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese

Instructions:

1. Caramelize the Onions:

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, until they begin to soften.
3. Add the sugar and continue to cook the onions, stirring frequently, until they are golden brown and caramelized. This process should take about 25-30 minutes.
4. Add the minced garlic and thyme, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes.

2. Thicken the Soup:

1. Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir well to combine. Cook for another 2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
2. Slowly add the beef broth and white wine, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.

3. Add the Potatoes:

1. Bring the soup to a simmer and add the sliced potatoes.
2. Simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender but not falling apart.
3. Season the soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

4. Prepare the Cheese Topping:

1. Preheat your broiler.
2. Place the baguette slices on a baking sheet and toast under the broiler until golden brown on both sides. Remove from the oven and set aside.

5. Assemble the Soup:

1. Ladle the hot soup into oven-safe bowls. Place a few slices of toasted baguette on top of each bowl of soup.
2. Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese over the bread and soup.

6. Broil the Cheese:

1. Place the bowls under the broiler until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 2-3 minutes.
2. Carefully remove the bowls from the oven (they will be very hot).

7. Serve:

1. Serve the soup immediately, making sure each serving has a good amount of cheesy bread and potato in it.
2. Optionally, garnish with some fresh thyme or parsley.

Tips:

• Onions: Take your time with caramelizing the onions, as this is key to developing the deep flavor typical of French onion soup.
• Potatoes: Slice the potatoes evenly to ensure they cook uniformly.
• Cheese: If you want a more intense cheesy flavor, you can mix in some Parmesan or other sharp cheese with the Gruyère.

This Cheesy French Onion Soup with Potatoes combines the deep, rich flavors of French onion soup with the hearty satisfaction of potatoes and melted cheese. It’s perfect for a cozy night in! Enjoy!