Our French onion soup is deliciously rich and easy to make at home. This savoury soup is perfect for using up a garden glut and great for dinner parties
Prep:15 mins
Serves 4
50g butter1 tbsp olive oil1kg onions, halved and thinly sliced1 tsp sugar4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced2 tbsp plain flour250ml dry white wine1.3l hot strongly-flavoured beef stock4-8 slices baguette (depending on size)140g gruyère, finely grated
STEP 1Melt the butter with the olive oil in a large heavy-based pan. Add the onions and fry with the lid on for 10 mins until soft.STEP 2Sprinkle in the sugar and cook for 20 mins more, stirring frequently, until caramelised. The onions should be really golden, full of flavour and soft when pinched between your fingers. Take care towards the end to ensure that they don’t burn.STEP 3Add the garlic cloves for the final few minutes of the onions’ cooking time, then sprinkle in the plain flour and stir well.STEP 4Increase the heat and keep stirring as you gradually add the wine, followed by the beef stock. Cover and simmer for 15-20 mins.STEP 5To serve, turn on the grill, and toast the bread. Ladle the soup into heatproof bowls.STEP 6Put a slice or two of toast on top of the bowls of soup, and pile on the gruyère. Grill until melted. Alternatively, you can cook the toasts under the grill, then add them to the soup to serve.
