This deliciously hearty soup is a breeze to prepare and is ideal for those chilly evenings when comfort food is a must. It serves beautifully as a satisfying dinner or as a charming rustic appetizer that warms the soul. A treasured culinary gem of France, it is a classic feature on brasserie menus, made even more delightful with the inclusion of five varieties of sweet onions, each adding layers of flavor and a touch of sweetness that elevate this dish to a new level of warmth and richness.
CREAMY FIVE ONION SOUP | Makes 6-8 servings
chefgeorgehirsch.com | From George Hirsch Living it UP! TV series
2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 each sweet onions*, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
6 each Chipolini onions, chopped
1 each red onion, chopped
1 green onion, chopped
1 Tablespoon flour
1/2 cup tomato sauce
2 teaspoons dried thyme
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 cup white wine
1/2 cup potatoes, peeled and chopped
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups beef broth
Optional:
1/2 cup half and half
French bread croutons
Parmesan, Emmental, or Gruyere cheese
Preheat a large soup or saucepot to medium heat. Add olive, sweet onions, garlic, cipollini, red onion, and green onion. Cook for 10 minutes without stirring until the onions in the bottom of the pot begin to brown; stir and allow the onions to continue to brown further. Stir and allow onions to cook for an additional five minutes. The total cooking time of onions will be about 20 minutes or more.
Season with thyme, bay leaves, and pepper. Add tomato sauce and flour, and stir. Add white wine and cook for 5 minutes or until dry. Add chicken broth, beef broth, and potatoes. Bring to a boil, lower to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 30 minutes.
Remove bay leaves, then puree one-half of the soup in a blender or food processor.
Return pureed soup back to soup pot. Bring soup back to a boil; reduce the temperature to a simmer. Add optional half and half. Serve with a toasted French bread crouton, top and melt cheddar, grated Parmesan cheese, and jack or Gruyere cheese.
*Note on onions: Soup may be made with any sweet onions and garlic only. Or, you may use the addition of any onion family, such as leeks, chives, etc.
