French Onion Soup with Homemade Croutons

A happy new is here, but has old Man Winter got you cold and down?
How about a homemade pick me up that is comfort food in a cup ?
The Food Adventure Crew loves sharing monthly recipes and this January is no exception, as Jackie shares her guarded FRENCH ONION SOUP creation with HOMEMADE CROUTONS. We kick off the new year right with a favorite that most anyone will enjoy, a gourmet soup, with the warmth and comfort of mom’s cooked meals. Speaking of which, Jackie, a mom of two who loves cooking for her family. Heavily influenced by her childhood in upstate New York, her cooking styles specialize in Italian food, to desserts, to healthy choices.
Today we offer to you one of her favorite Holiday/Cold Weather winning recipes. Hopefully this will be one you use as “go to” in the future. Personalize the recipe and make your own magic.

As Jackie reminds us… “We are the music makers, we are the dreamers of dreams.” – Willy Wonka/Arthur O’Shaughenessy.

Without further delay, let’s cook some soup !

FRENCH ONION SOUP with HOMEMADE CROUTONS – as made by an Italian Food Adventurer:

for the FRENCH ONION SOUP You’ll need:

Ingredients:

1lb bacon (cooked and crumbled)
Jackie Channeling the French Chef for her French Onion Soup
2 tbs bacon fat reserved from the bacon (optional, but delightful!)
¼ c unsalted butter
1 large red onion, sliced thin
1 large yellow onion, sliced thin
1 large white onion, sliced thin
1 bunch scallions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup dry white wine
10 cups stock (I use vegetable but you can also use chicken or beef)
1/4tsp hot pepper flakes
¼ tsp dry oregano
½ tsp fresh ground black pepper
salt – optional. You don’t need much at all with the bacon and stock, so go easy if adding any and remember to taste as you go to avoid over salting!
Croutons (homemade recipe to follow!) or a crusty baguette sliced
Shredded cheese- mozzarella, Swiss, greyer are all great!

Directions:

In a large saucepan, fry bacon. Remove bacon and fat, but reserve 2 tbs of bacon fat. Crumble bacon when cooled.
Over medium heat, melt butter then add onions and garlic. Stir frequently to deglaze the lovely bacon bits that are on the bottom of the saucepan!
Once onions are soft, add wine and simmer for 10 minutes.
Add stock and seasoning and continue to simmer on medium heat for approximately 30 minutes.
Serve in deep soup bowls. Top with croutons, cheese and bacon!

HOMEMADE CROUTONS:
(This is a great way to use up any bread that might be going stale- which doesn’t happen often in my carb-loving household!).

You’ll need:
Ingredients:

Bread, about 2 cups cut into 1-2 inch pieces
Olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp salt
½ tsp fresh ground black pepper
1 tsp dried parsley

Directions:
Toss bread with oil and seasonings and spread onto a large baking sheet. Bake at 300 (do not preheat oven) for about 20 minutes or until dry and crunchy!

There you have it – warmth and happiness in a bowl. Treat yourself this week and prepare a batch for the whole darn family. This recipe will cut right through this rainy, cold, wet weather and put you in a place of bliss.

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