RICH AND SIMPLE

I read on some website yesterday that January is Soup Month. So if you've ever needed a reason to celebrate that wonderful , comforting hot steaming bowl of goodness....dig into this recipe. I found this recipe a few years ago and have made it umpteen times and it never fails to impress. We served it as a soup of the day at a little tea room and it sold out each time. People were really surprised that it tastes so rich and takes only minutes to make. It is not the hour and a half, slowly caramelize the onions, kind of French Onion Soup. It takes only 30 minutes from beginning to end and it is really quite good to be such a quick version of the timely classic. If you want a more "labor intensive" recipe for French Onion Soup, then please email me 'cause I can get one for you. But try this....it's the one I throw together when that "Oniony, cheesy, hot gooey bowl of soup" craving hits me. comfortcook@gmail.com

FRENCH ONION SOUP
Rich and Simple

1/4 cup butter
1 tsp olive oil
4 Cups sliced onions (yellow or white)
4 (10.5) cans beef broth
2 TBS Dry Sherry (VERY IMPORTANT STEP)
1 tsp dried thyme ( or one TBS fresh thyme)
1/4 tsp Salt
Ground blk pepper to taste
6 slices French bread
6 Slices Provolone cheese
6 slices Swiss cheese
1/4 Cup Parmesan cheese

1. Melt butter in an 8 qt stock pot or big dutch oven over med heatAdd olive oil and mix. Add onions and stir often till tender and translucent. Salt the onions at this time ( adjust salt after cooking if necessary.) DO NOT brown the onions.
2. Add the beef broth, sherry and thyme. Season with pepper and simmer, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes.
3. Ladle soup into oven safe serving bowls and place one slice Italian bread (I toast mine first) or croutons on top of soup.
4. Layer the Provolone, Swiss and sprinkle some of the Parmesan on top of bread.
5. Place bowls on a baking sheet and place under broiler until cheese bubbles and browns slightly. Keep an eye on them at this point as the broiler works quickly.

TIP: (You can skip this broiler step when reheating soup if you place the cheeses on top of bread and microwave on high for about 40 seconds. Careful! This is hot.)

I hope you'll try this easy French Onion Soup recipe. It tastes really good and is much easier to make than it looks. Let me know if you try this and what you think comfortcook@gmail.com

For catering and menu information, please contact me at:
COMFORT COOK CATERING (615) 525-8336