French Onion Soup

Show: Barefoot ContessaEpisode: Back from the Beach

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (92)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(92)

Cook Time:
1 hr 0 min
Level:
Intermediate
Yield:
4 to 6 servings

Times:

Prep: 10 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 1 hr 0 min
Total:: 1 hr 10 min

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2 1/2 pounds yellow onions, halved, and sliced 1/4-inch thick (8 cups)

1/4 pound unsalted butter

1 bay leaf

1/2 cup medium-dry sherry

1/2 cup brandy or Cognac

1 1/2 cups good dry white wine

4 cups beef stock

4 cups veal stock

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper

Freshly grated Parmesan

In a large stockpot on medium-high heat, saute the onions with the butter and bay leaf for 20 minutes, until the onions turn a rich golden brown color. Deglaze the pan with the sherry and brandy and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. Add the white wine and simmer uncovered for 15 more minutes.

Add the beef and veal stocks plus salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. Remove the bay leaf, taste for salt and pepper, and serve hot with grated Parmesan.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe French Onion Soup
Sharon Oak Brook, IL 01-31-2010
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Absolutely perfect
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I have been making french onion soup for years using many different recipes. I will only use this recipe now. It is... perfection. The complexity of the flavors is just right. I made it exactly as it is written.Read more
recipe French Onion Soup
Cate Zionsville, IN 01-12-2010
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Best French Onion Soup Recipe
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This is by far the best French Onion Soup Recipe. I did not have veal stock available and while I assume it would be even... better, the family raved as is. I agree with the comment about guyere -- I did not use the parmesan but used grated guyere -- just fabulous! Great directions, flavors. Just a winner!Read more
recipe French Onion Soup
Brenda Tyngsborough, MA 01-12-2010
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Best French Onion soup I have ever had!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Don't change a thing....unless, of course adding toasted french baguette before the cheese
recipe French Onion Soup
C San Diego, CA 01-07-2010
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Good, just needed a little bit of tweaking.
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I followed the recipe except I substituted chicken broth for veal and used more garlic and added some flour to the onions.... After simmering the soup for twenty minutes, it was kind of bland. I decided to let it simmer for another couple hours. Only problem was the onion became too soft, but it tasted way better. Next time I would simmer the wine, broth seperatly for about an hour let it reduce down, then add the onions and cook for another hour or until the onions got tender.Read more
recipe French Onion Soup
Sherita Ontario, CA 12-28-2009
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Wonderful
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This soup is absolutely wonderful! It was easy to make and it was a hit with my friends and family. This one is a keeper.... Thank you, Contessa!Read more
recipe French Onion Soup
JACQUELINE Buffalo, NY 12-28-2009
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ANOTHER GREAT INA RECIPE!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

BEST FRENCH ONION SOUP RECIPE WE'VE EVER MADE. I THINK IT'S INA'S DETAILED DIRECTIONS ON CARAMELIZING THE ONIONS IN STEPS... THAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE. I HALVED THE RECIPE SINCE I ONLY HADE 4 CUPS OF BEEF STOCK IN THE PANTRY, AND DID NOT HAVE THE SHERRY EITHER, SO I SUBSTITUTED PORT INSTEAD. I FLOATED CRISP BAGUETTE SLICES TOPPED WITH GRUYERE AND PUT UNDER THE BROILER TO BROWN THE CHEESE. IT WAS DELICIOUS. NEXT TIME I WILL MAKE THE FULL RECIPE, BUT WILL USE ALL BEEF STOCK........[ETHICAL FEELINGS ABOUT VEAL CALVES]. WILL ALSO CUT BACK ON THE ONIONS SINCE MY HUSBAND PREFERS MORE BROTH THAN ONIONS. OTHERWISE, INA'S DONE IT AGAIN! Read more