What Is French Onion Soup?
French onion soup is made of beef stock and onions and is served with toasted bread and melted cheese on top. It is hot, heartwarming, and basically the definition of comfort food.
To be more specific, the ingredients and preparation method for this popular dish is as follows:
Onions: Washed, peeled, sliced, and cooked in some butter or oil until soft, golden-brown, and caramelized.Dry red or white wine, Vermouth, Cognac, or Sherry: Alcohol is an essential ingredient during caramelization. It helps deglaze the pot's bottom and ensures the onion doesn't burn and stick to the pot. It also gives a rich aroma to the soup.Beef stock: The stock is made with a long and meticulous preparation of beef bones and meat, cooked for a long time at a low temperature, with water, garlic, fresh herbs like thyme and bay leaf, and spices. Sometimes pre-cooked bouillon is used beside or instead of the beef stock.Flour: It is used to thicken the soup, and it gives a creamy, velvety texture to the dish.Bread: French baguette is the obvious choice for French Onion Soup. It is sliced and baked until crunchy and crispy.Cheese: Though Gruyѐre is the most popular cheese for this soup, some other cheese alternatives are excellent choices. Swiss cheese, Provolone, Mozzarella, and Gouda are some of them.Bonus: Some grated Parmesan as a final touch. Et Voilà!
Who invented the French onion soup?
Onion soups existed way back in Roman and Ancient Greek times, but the more contemporary versions are from the 18th century. There are two theories of how the French Onion Soup was invented.
The first is attributed to the French King Henry XV.
After a long hunting day, he retreated to his lodge and found out there was nothing to eat.
Together with his aunt, who was there at the time, he searched the cupboards for some food and found only three ingredients: onions, butter, and champagne.
And the French onion soup was born.
However, there's another version of this legend. It involves Stanislaw Leszczynski, the king of Poland.
According to this history bit, he tasted the soup in an inn in France's
Champagne region and asked to see how the soup was made. He then repeated the recipe.
Thus we have this French specialty today, thanks to him.
The French Onion Soup was introduced to the United States in 1861 by Henri Mouquin.
He had a restaurant in New York, and his wife Marie Julie Grandjean Mouquin was the chef.
What are some French onion soup variants?
With small changes, the French onion soup can fit everyone's tastes and preferences.
Vegetarian French Onion Soup
By simply switching the beef stock with vegetable stock, you can get a vegetarian alternative to the French onion soup.
Vegan French Onion Soup
Vegan butter or olive oil instead of milk butter, vegetable stock, and some vegan cheese is what makes a vegan-friendly alternative to French onion soup.
Traditional French Onion Soup
The traditional French Onion Soup has become one of the most famous French delicacies worldwide and in the US. In America, it gained much popularity around the 1960s, and this cozy and creamy soup is beloved today.
The traditional soup we all love has a fascinating history behind the word "soup." Its origin is from the old French word soupe, which translates to bread soaked in broth. Much like the French onion soup, we all know and love today.
Keto French Onion Soup
For a low-carb, Keto alternative to the French onion soup, you should omit the bread entirely or choose a gluten-free, grain-free bread alternative such as almond bread. However, you can get the crunchiness from the toasted bread if you choose crumbled pork rinds instead.
French Onion Soup Chicken
Although the traditional French onion soup is made with beef stock, it can also be made with chicken stock.
How many calories are in a bowl of French onion soup?
The average calorie count for a single serving of French onion soup can come up from 250 to 350 calories.
Depending on the type and amount of bread and cheese per portion, the calorie count can rise to 500.
One small slice of bread and low-fat cheese alternatives like mozzarella can reduce calorie intake by half.
Where can I find French onion soup near me?
We've said enough about this wonderful comfort food. And now, it's time to try some for yourself!
As always, we at Slice are here to offer some fantastic restaurant recommendations.
For those of you in Philly, we suggest checking out the very famous Big Ben Pizza. Located on Rising Sun Ave, they're open 7 days a week. Plus, you get 5% off when you order pickup or delivery via Slice.
And if you're in New York, then Bravo Pizza is the right place for you. They're located on Park Ave S and they work every day of the week. Of course, pickup and delivery are available as options.
