French Onion Soup: a classic recipe

This is a hearty comfort food. It is an ideal dish for a winters evening with red wine.

Red Onions

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Ingredients for 6 people

• 1 kg (2lbs) onions
• 75 g (30 oz) butter
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1.8 litres (8 cups) boiling water
• Salt and pepper
• French bread stick

Method

• Slice onions finely, I use a mandolin.
• Melt butter in a heavy based saucepan and brown the onions slowly over low heat. Stir often to prevent from burning. This will take 30-40 minutes.
• Add the flour and stir in well.
• Pour the boiling water over the onions, bring to the boil and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Cut the French stick and bake in oven until they are crisp.

To Serve
Put a slice of the crisped bread into each bowl and pour the soup over.
Some people suggest serving with grilled cheese but I think the onions provide enough flavour.
Wine Suggestion
You could serve this soup with a white wine, but I think it goes better with a red, especially in winter. I would suggest a Petit Verdot. These wines have enough body and depth of flavour to match it with the onion.