Wow, you guys, it feels like forever since we’ve chatted! How was your holiday?
I hope it was magnificent and full of cookies and love. I spent mine in Philadelphia enjoying the slower pace of life, playing about 87 games of Scrabble, and eating way too many hoagies. It was absolutely perfect.
Now that Christmas is old news, let talk about the NEW. The New Year is totally knocking on our door! 2013 will be here in just 3 days. 3 days!
So, obviously I want to know… what are your plans for the eve of this new year?
Wild dance parties? Fireworks? Fancy dresses and high hopes of sealing lips with a handsome someone come midnight? Sweatpants and a quiet dinner with your honey love? Spill it!
I’ve got a sparkly dress and some fancy champagne just in case, but I’m thinking this year will be more yoga pants, hot tea, and onion soup… pretty awesome if you ask me.
Let’s talk about the onion soup part real quick. I made a giant pot of this last week and it is certainly going to be a regular in my apartment this winter. Here’s the deal: 5 onions – shallots, red, white, yellow, and vidalia, 5 cloves of garlic, red wine, fresh herbs, and beef stock cooked long and low for tons of flavor! Oh, and theres crunchy bread and gorgeous bubbling cheese on top. Yes yes yes – this is good stuff!
This is not a quick soup, but it’s totally, 100% worth your time and efforts, and it’s your best friend if your trying to kick a cold.
Happy New Year, my loves! I’m so (so, so, so, so, SO) thankful to have you guys as a part of my life. I really, truly feel blessed for that.
5 Onion Soup – Baker by Nature
Yields 6-8 servings
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons butter, unsalted
1 large red onion, thinly sliced
1 large white onion, thinly sliced
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 large vidalia onion, thinly sliced
2 large shallots, thinly sliced
3 sprigs fresh thyme
2 fresh bay leaves
1 1/4 cup red wine
3 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 quarts beef stock
salt and pepper to taste
sliced baguette & shredded swiss cheese (about 1/4 cup cheese per bowl of soup)
Melt butter and oil together in a large pot over medium low heat. Add the onions, and cook for 15 minutes, stirring only occasionally, before adding the garlic, bay leaves, thyme, crushed red pepper, salt and pepper. Continue cooking the onion mixture until the onions are golden brown and caramelized, about another 30-40 minutes. Add the red wine, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the wine has decreased by half, about 8 minutes. At this time you can toss the bay leaves and thyme sprigs; they’ve done their job. Sprinkle the onions with the flour and give them a stir. Turn the heat back down to medium low and cook for another 10 minutes before adding the beef stock. Bring soup to a boil, then let simmer for another 10 minutes. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
When you’re ready to eat your soup, simply set your oven to the broil setting, ladle the soup into oven proof bowls, top each bowl with a few pieces of sliced of baguette and 1/4 cup of shredded cheese and place in the oven for about 4 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
Jackie @ Domestic Fits says
Julia Childs last meal was French Onion Soup, it always reminds me of her 🙂
Erin | The Law Student's Wife says
HAPPY NEW YEAR ASHLEY! Heading out to dinner with the hubs, then the rest of the night is TBD. I’d like to think we will go dancing, but the restaurant is located dangerously near our apartment (i.e. couch), so we’ll see how long we last!
This soup looks completely fabulous. You had me at red wine! And the bubbly gooey cheese on top? Just stop. I’m sure it is worth every minute!
Suzie says
I love the idea of 5 onion soup! Yum! My hubs and I are going out to eat tomorrow and may have a couple cocktails but, that is it. Then we’ll take our full bellies home and chill in front of the tv 🙂 Happy New Year Ashley!
kristy says
Would you believe I ate my first French onion soup yesterday…and I LOVED it! So I know that I would love this, and I know I’ll be making it soon. Sounds like you had a great Christmas. Here’s to a fabulous New Year’s as well! 🙂
Alyssa (Everyday Maven) says
That sounds phenomenal – I am a sucker for French Onion Soup. I am from Philly – such a great food town – I miss it. Jealous of your visit there!
amy @ fearless homemaker says
YUM! I love onion soup + yours looks just wonderful! We’re going pretty low-key this New Year’s Eve: a fancy dinner at a local restaurant, then watching the ball drop on tv at home. No big parties or crazy wild times for us this year! Have a great NYE, friend!
The Squishy Monster says
I still have no plans but maybe I’ll cuddle up with some of this amazing looking soup!
Michelle @ Eat Move Balance says
I love onions, and this soup looks amazing! I recently made my first batch of French Onion Soup. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. It was so good. You’re right–there’s nothing quick about it. But definitely worth it!
Shut Up and Cook | The Attainable Gourmet says
YUM! I adore onion soup (it’s one of the dishes I always order in restaurants), but I have to confess I have never, ever made it…how crazy is that?!? I see this going on the meal plan this next week. Excited to try your recipe…and happy New Years to you too!
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
i LOVE that bowl!! Onion soup is all I ate in France with so much cheese it should be illegal. Love this my darling!