French onion soup with port wine is a luxurious twist on the classic French dish. This recipe elevates the traditional flavors with the richness of port wine, taking the caramelized onions and savory beef stock to new heights. Topped with crispy French bread and melted Swiss cheese, this soup is perfect for a cozy night in or a special occasion.
Photos of French Onion Soup with Port Wine Recipe
While most of the ingredients for this recipe are common pantry staples, you might need to pick up a few special items at the supermarket. Port wine gives the soup its unique depth and sweetness, while Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese adds a touch of umami. Ensure you have French bread to get that perfect crispy topping.
Ingredients for French Onion Soup With Port Wine
Butter: Adds richness and helps in caramelizing the onions.
Olive oil: Combines with butter for a balanced fat base.
White onions: The star of the soup, providing the essential sweetness.
Garlic: Adds a subtle, aromatic depth.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors.
Ground black pepper: Brings a bit of spice and balance.
Brown sugar: Helps in caramelizing the onions and adds a touch of sweetness.
Thyme: Provides an earthy, herbaceous note.
Port wine: Adds depth and a sweet complexity to the soup.
Beef stock: Forms the savory base of the soup.
French bread: Used for the crispy, cheesy topping.
Swiss cheese: Melts beautifully over the bread, adding a creamy texture.
Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese: Adds a sharp, umami flavor to the topping.
One reader, Donovan Negrete says:
This French onion soup with port wine is a game-changer! The caramelized onions and rich beef stock create a deep, savory flavor, while the port wine adds a delightful sweetness. Topped with gooey Swiss cheese and crunchy French bread, it's pure comfort in a bowl. Highly recommend!
Mastering the Art of French Onion Soup: Key Techniques
How to caramelize onions: Cook onions slowly over medium-low heat, stirring every 10 minutes to prevent them from browning too quickly, until they turn a deep golden brown, which takes about an hour. How to deglaze a pan: Pour liquid (in this case, port wine) into the hot pan and scrape the browned bits off the bottom with a wooden spoon to incorporate them into the dish. How to use a broiler: Preheat the oven's broiler and place the dish under it to melt and brown the cheese, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
How To Make French Onion Soup with Port Wine
This French onion soup is packed with caramelized onions in a beef broth base. It’s a flavourful dish served with croutons and a sprinkle of cheese on top!
Serves:
Ingredients
- 3tbspbutter
- 3tbspolive oil
- 6white onions,sliced into thin rings
- 1garlic clove,minced
- 1pinchsalt
- 1½tspground black pepper
- 1tbspbrown sugar
- 1tbspthyme,dried
- ⅓cupport wine
- 32ozbeef stock,(1 carton)
- Salt and ground black pepper,to taste
- 5slicesfrench bread
- 5slicesswiss cheese
- ¼cupParmagiano-Reggiano cheese,shredded
Instructions
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In a large pot, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the onion slices and garlic to the pot; season with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
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Cook the onions in the oil mixture for about about 1 hour until caramelized, stirring every 10 minutes to keep from browning too quickly.
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Stir the brown sugar and thyme into the caramelized onions; allow the sugar to melt into the onion mixture for about 2 minutes.
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Pour the wine over the onions and bring to a boil while scraping the browned bits of food off of the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Continue simmering for 5 minutes.
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Add the beef stock and cook together for about 10 minutes. Season to taste with more salt and pepper, if desired.
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Preheat the oven’s broiler.
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Ladle the soup into 5 oven-safe crocks arranged onto a baking sheet. Top the soup with a slice of French bread; cover with a slice of Swiss cheese, and sprinkle with some of the Parmagiano-Reggiano cheese.
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Melt the cheese under the broiler for about 2 to 3 minutes.
Nutrition
- Calories: 400.70kcal
- Fat: 25.65g
- Saturated Fat: 11.96g
- Trans Fat: 0.36g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 10.44g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.62g
- Carbohydrates: 27.22g
- Fiber: 3.33g
- Sugar: 10.51g
- Protein: 15.78g
- Cholesterol: 50.81mg
- Sodium: 940.23mg
- Calcium: 336.15mg
- Potassium: 634.46mg
- Iron: 1.62mg
- Vitamin A: 138.89µg
- Vitamin C: 12.06mg
Streamline Your Soup-Making Process
Pre-slice onions: Slice the onions ahead of time and store them in an airtight container in the fridge.
Use a food processor: Speed up the onion slicing process by using a food processor with a slicing attachment.
Caramelize in batches: Use multiple pans to caramelize the onions simultaneously, cutting down on cooking time.
Preheat the broiler: Preheat the broiler while the soup is simmering to save time when melting the cheese.
Use store-bought stock: Opt for high-quality store-bought beef stock to save time on making your own.
Substitute Ingredients For French Onion Soup with Port Wine Recipe
butter - Substitute with margarine: Margarine can provide a similar fat content and texture.
olive oil - Substitute with vegetable oil: Vegetable oil has a neutral flavor and similar cooking properties.
white onions - Substitute with yellow onions: Yellow onions have a similar sweetness and texture when caramelized.
garlic clove - Substitute with garlic powder: Use 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder for each clove to maintain the garlic flavor.
brown sugar - Substitute with white sugar: White sugar can provide the necessary sweetness, though it lacks the molasses flavor.
thyme - Substitute with oregano: Oregano has a similar earthy flavor that complements the soup.
port wine - Substitute with red wine: Red wine provides a similar depth of flavor, though it is less sweet.
beef stock - Substitute with vegetable stock: Vegetable stock can provide a similar base flavor for a vegetarian option.
french bread - Substitute with baguette: A baguette has a similar texture and flavor profile.
swiss cheese - Substitute with gruyere cheese: Gruyere has a similar melting quality and flavor.
parmagiano-reggiano cheese - Substitute with pecorino romano: Pecorino Romano has a similar sharp and salty flavor.
Elevate Your Soup Game: Presentation Tips
Serve in elegant crocks: Use high-quality, oven-safe crocks to present the French onion soup. The crocks should be uniform and visually appealing, enhancing the overall presentation.
Caramelize onions to perfection: Ensure the onions are deeply caramelized to a rich, golden-brown color. This not only adds depth of flavor but also creates a visually appealing base for the soup.
Use artisanal bread: Select a high-quality, French bread with a perfect crust. Slice it evenly and toast it lightly to add a delightful crunch that complements the soup.
Layer the cheese artfully: Place a slice of Swiss cheese over the bread, ensuring it covers the entire surface. Sprinkle Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese generously to add a touch of elegance and a burst of flavor.
Broil to golden perfection: Broil the soup just until the cheese is melted and bubbly, with a golden-brown crust. This creates a visually stunning and appetizing top layer.
Garnish with fresh thyme: Add a sprig of fresh thyme on top of the melted cheese just before serving. This not only adds a pop of color but also enhances the aroma and flavor of the dish.
Serve on a polished tray: Arrange the crocks on a polished, elegant tray. This adds a touch of sophistication and ensures the presentation is cohesive and professional.
Accompany with a side of port wine: Serve a small glass of port wine alongside the soup. This complements the flavors and adds an extra layer of indulgence to the dining experience.
Essential Tools for Crafting the Perfect French Onion Soup
Large pot: Used to cook the onions and combine all the ingredients for the soup.
Wooden spoon: Essential for stirring the onions and scraping the browned bits off the bottom of the pot.
Chef's knife: Necessary for slicing the onions and mincing the garlic.
Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for slicing onions and mincing garlic.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure out the butter, olive oil, brown sugar, thyme, and seasonings.
Measuring cup: Needed to measure the port wine and beef stock accurately.
Oven-safe crocks: Used to serve the soup and melt the cheese under the broiler.
Baking sheet: Holds the oven-safe crocks while they are under the broiler.
Broiler: Used to melt the cheese on top of the soup.
Ladle: For serving the soup into the oven-safe crocks.
Grater: Used to grate the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
Preserving the Flavors: Storage and Freezing Guidelines
- Allow the french onion soup to cool completely before storing or freezing.
- For short-term storage, transfer the cooled soup to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- When ready to serve, reheat the soup in a saucepan over medium heat until warmed through, then proceed with adding the bread and cheese before broiling.
- For longer storage, freeze the cooled soup in freezer-safe containers or resealable bags for up to 3 months.
- Leave about an inch of headspace at the top of the container to allow for expansion during freezing.
- Label the containers with the date and contents for easy identification.
- To reheat frozen soup, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator or place the frozen container in a bowl of cold water until it can be easily transferred to a saucepan.
- Heat the soup over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it's warmed through.
- Avoid boiling the soup, as this may cause the onions to become mushy.
- It's best to freeze the soup without the bread and cheese topping, as these elements are best added fresh when serving.
- Prepare the bread and cheese topping just before serving the reheated soup for the best texture and flavor.
- If you have leftover soup that has already been topped with bread and cheese, you can still store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Keep in mind that the bread will absorb the liquid and become soggy over time, affecting the texture of the soup.
Reviving Leftover French Onion Soup: Reheating Tips
- Reheat the french onion soup in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it reaches a simmer. This method ensures that the onions and broth are evenly heated without overcooking or burning.
- If you prefer a quicker reheating method, transfer the leftover soup to a microwave-safe bowl and cover it with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until the soup is heated through.
- For a crispy cheese topping, ladle the reheated soup into oven-safe bowls, top with a slice of french bread and a generous amount of swiss cheese and parmagiano-reggiano cheese. Place the bowls under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- If you have stored the french bread and cheese separately from the soup, toast the bread slices in the oven or toaster before adding them to the reheated soup. This will help maintain the texture and prevent the bread from becoming soggy.
- To enhance the flavor of the reheated soup, consider adding a splash of port wine or a pinch of fresh thyme before serving. This will help revive the flavors that may have mellowed during storage.
- If the reheated soup appears too thick, gradually stir in some additional beef stock or water until you reach the desired consistency. Be sure to adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper if needed.
- For a more indulgent reheating experience, place the leftover soup in a slow cooker on low heat for 1-2 hours. This method allows the flavors to meld together and results in a rich, comforting dish. Just be sure to give it a stir occasionally to prevent burning.
Discover a Fascinating Tidbit About French Onion Soup
A unique aspect of French onion soup is its origins in 18th-century France, where it was considered a dish for the poor due to the abundance and low cost of onions. The addition of port wine in this recipe adds a rich, sweet depth to the traditional flavor.
Budget-Friendly Gourmet: Is This Recipe Economical?
This French onion soup with port wine recipe is moderately cost-effective. The main expenses come from the port wine, beef stock, and cheeses. However, the use of white onions and French bread balances the cost. For a household of 4, the approximate cost is around $20-$25. Overall Verdict: 7/10.
Is French Onion Soup With Port Wine Healthy?
The French onion soup with port wine recipe is a comforting and flavorful dish, but it may not be the healthiest option due to several factors:
- The recipe uses a significant amount of butter and olive oil, which are high in saturated and unsaturated fats, respectively.
- The soup is topped with bread and cheese, adding more calories and saturated fat to the dish.
- The sodium content may be high due to the use of beef stock and added salt.
However, the recipe does include some healthy ingredients, such as onions, which are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and thyme, which has anti-inflammatory properties.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Reduce the amount of butter and olive oil used in the recipe, or replace some of the butter with a healthier alternative like olive oil or avocado oil.
- Use low-sodium beef stock to reduce the overall sodium content of the dish.
- Opt for whole-grain bread instead of white French bread to increase the fiber content.
- Use a reduced-fat Swiss cheese or a smaller amount of regular Swiss cheese to decrease the saturated fat content.
- Add more vegetables to the soup, such as carrots, celery, or mushrooms, to increase the nutrient density of the dish.
- Serve the soup in smaller portions as a starter or side dish rather than a main course to control calorie intake.
Editor's Take: Why This French Onion Soup Recipe Stands Out
This French onion soup recipe is a delightful blend of rich, caramelized onions and the deep, complex flavors of port wine and beef stock. The addition of brown sugar and thyme enhances the sweetness and earthiness of the onions, creating a well-balanced taste. Topping the soup with French bread and a mix of Swiss and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses adds a satisfying, gooey finish. The method is straightforward, though it requires patience to achieve the perfect caramelization. Overall, this recipe promises a comforting and indulgent experience, perfect for a cozy meal.
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Why trust this French Onion Soup with Port Wine Recipe:
This recipe for French onion soup with port wine is a time-tested classic that guarantees rich, deep flavors. The slow caramelization of onions creates a sweet, savory base, while the addition of port wine adds a sophisticated touch. Topped with crusty French bread and melted Swiss cheese, this dish offers a comforting, gourmet experience. Trust in the quality ingredients and detailed instructions to deliver a restaurant-quality soup right in your own kitchen.
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