French Onion Soup with a Twist

Ingredients

• 4 large onions, thinly sliced 4 large onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 6 cups (1.4 liters) beef or vegetable broth 6 cups (1.4 liters) beef or vegetable broth
• 1 bay leaf 1 bay leaf
• 1 sprig thyme 1 sprig thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 slices of baguette 4 slices of baguette
• 1 cup (100g) grated Gruyere cheese 1 cup (100g) grated Gruyere cheese

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 9g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 30g, 10g
• Protein: 10g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, melt the butter and olive oil over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Add the sliced onions and cook until caramelized, stirring occasionally for about 30 minutes.
3. 3.
   Add the minced garlic and sugar to the pot and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
4. 4.
   Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir well to coat.
5. 5.
   Pour in the broth, bay leaf, and thyme sprig. Bring to a simmer and let it cook for 20 minutes.
6. 6.
   Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. 7.
   Preheat the broiler in your oven.
8. 8.
   Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls. Place a slice of baguette on top of each bowl and sprinkle with grated Gruyere cheese.
9. 9.
   Place the bowls on a baking sheet and broil until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
10. 10.
    Serve hot and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Onions — Thinly slice the onions for even cooking and caramelization.
• Gruyere cheese — Use a good quality Gruyere cheese for its distinct nutty flavor and excellent melting properties.

Tips & Tricks

• For a deeper flavor, cook the onions slowly over low heat until they are deeply caramelized.
• Use a mix of butter and olive oil for sautéing the onions to enhance the flavor.
• If you prefer a thicker soup, you can add more flour to the onions before adding the broth.

Serving advice

Serve the French Onion Soup with a Twist hot in individual oven-safe bowls. The melted cheese on top should be golden brown and bubbling. Accompany it with a side of crusty bread or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.

Presentation advice

Garnish each bowl of soup with a sprig of fresh thyme or a sprinkle of chopped parsley to add a pop of color. Serve the soup in elegant ceramic bowls to enhance the visual appeal.