Do you want to explore French cuisine? Or do you love soups? Then you need to try French onion soup! This simple classic dish which mainly consists of caramelized onions, cheese, sherry, and beef stock, will send your taste buds into overdrive! In this article, we will explore French onion soup’s taste and explore the history of this quintessential French dish.
French onion soup features caramelized onions which become incredibly soft and melt in your mouth. These onions are the backbone of the dish, and you can really taste them! While this soup may seem simple, the caramelization process is critical, and even a slight error can completely ruin your dish. If you mess up the caramelization process, the soup will either become too bitter or way too sweet.
What does French onion soup taste like? French onion soup has a sweet flavor thanks to the caramelized onion. This sweetness is perfectly balanced by the saltiness and richness of the beef stock. The gruyere cheese does give it a slight creamy taste, and the crunch from the mandatory piece of bread makes this the perfect French dish.
French Onion Soup Taste In-Depth Guide
If you are looking for a thick creamy soup, then French onion soup is not for you! French onion soup is famous for its sweet flavor, which is just perfectly subdued by sherry, cheese, and beef broth. There is nothing better than tucking into some French onion soup for dinner. Your taste buds will be rejoicing, but you will also get a great night’s sleep as onion contains high levels of L-tryptophan, a natural sedative.
See also: 10 Best Substitutes For Gruyere Cheese In French Onion Soup
Why is French Onion Soup so popular? French onion soup’s popularity is based on its simple ingredients, easy preparation, and amazing taste. A bowl of French onion soup will leave you with deep satisfaction and warm you up on a cold night. Sometimes the best dishes are the most simple!
Onion, cheese, beef broth, and bread sound pretty good, right? French onion soup proves there is no need for expensive and fancy ingredients! This incredible dish only features the basics but is still one of the tastiest and most loved French dishes. If you ever need a meal to make you feel better, we recommend this soup.
What Ingredients Does French Onion Soup Contain?
Onion forms the backbone of French onion soup, but this tasty dish also includes other critical ingredients. These ingredients all work together to deliver a complex and balanced flavor. The soup also contains Gruyere cheese, sherry, garlic, herbs and spices, and bread. French onion soup is loaded with vitamins and nutrients which keep you happy and healthy!
Onion soup contains quercetin which protects critical organs including the brain, heart, and skin. Quercetin also protects the body against lung problems. This soup is loaded with B6, which is great for improving hair growth and energy. There is also a healthy dose of vitamin B1, helpful for mental health.
Onion soup has a healthy dose of Omega 3. Omega 3 plays a strong role in regulating blood pressure. The soup is loaded with phosphorus which helps with healthy cell function. Finally, onion soup has a significant amount of calcium which is great for bones and muscles.
See also: What Does Tofu Taste Like? Ultimate Tofu Taste Guide
How to Make French Onion Soup
To make French onion soup, you need:
- Yellow onions
- Beef stock
- Garlic
- Butter
- Bread
- Spices and herbs
- Gruyere cheese
The first step is caramelizing the onions, which is a lengthy process and can take up to 2 hours! To start, you melt butter and cook the onions until they are brown. Then you add in wine, garlic, and a little flour at the end.
In the next step, you throw in some beef stock. Cook the stock until it simmers, and then chuck in your herbs and spices. Cook for around 10 mins and then add some pepper. Next, you need to toast your baguette.
In the final step, you need to broil it. Add the soup to the bowl, throw the toasted baguette on top and then grate cheese over the bread. Put the soup in the oven for around 5 minutes. Once the cheese is melted, take it out and start eating your amazingly tasty soup!
See also: Best Substitute for Gruyere Cheese in Quiche
Is French Onion Soup thick or thin? French onion soup is neither thick nor thin but has a medium consistency. The caramelized onion combined with the cheese ensures the soup is not thin but is diluted by the addition of white or sherry and broth. You can make the soup thicker by adding pieces of bread.
French onion soup has a classic medium consistency. If you don’t like watery soups but also aren’t a fan of super thick ones, then French onion soup is perfect for you. The thickness of the onions and cheese is balanced with the sherry and broth, producing a perfect soup.
Is French Onion Soup supposed to be sweet? French onion soup is supposed to have a distinctly sweet flavor thanks to the caramelized onions and sherry. However, it should not be overly sweet, thanks to the addition of cheese and beef broth. French onion soup is the perfect blend of sweet and savory.
If your onion soup is too sweet, you have a problem! While this classic French dish is loaded with caramelized onion and should have a pleasant sweet flavor, it should not be overly sweet. The sweetness should be subdued by a healthy dose of beef broth and gruyere cheese.
How do you eat French Onion Soup? French onion soup should be eaten hot with melted gruyere cheese on top and a slice of white bread. You can dip the bread into the soup or tear it into pieces and place it in your bowl if you would like to thicken the dish.
It is very simple to eat onion soup. Just melt some cheese on top, grab some bread and dig in. You can eat it with a spoon or fork, it doesn’t matter. Just make sure you don’t let any of those amazing caramelized onions go to waste!
See also: What Is Gruyère Cheese? Taste, Nutrition, Price
What is the History of French Onion Soup?
Is French Onion Soup even French? The French onion soup was invented in France in the 1700s. It was popular among the poor as onions were cheap and plentiful, and the soup was easy to make. The French onion soup was also used as a sleeping aid in France.
Even though French onion soup started off as a peasants’ dish, it is now considered a French delicacy. The soup started gaining popularity in France in the 18th century, but it didn’t arrive in the US until the late 1800s. Henri Mouquin is credited with bringing the legendary soup to the US when he opened his French restaurant in New York in 1861. Nowadays, nearly every French restaurant around the world has this dish on the menu!
Is French Onion Soup popular in France? French onion is one of the most popular dishes in France. You can find this incredibly tasty delicacy in nearly every restaurant throughout the country. Thanks to its amazing taste, cheap ingredients, and simple cooking process, this dish will always be popular.
See also: Ultimate Guide on Best Gruyere Cheese Pairings
Wrapping Up
French onion soup has been described by many Francophiles as the perfect dish. This soup has the perfect mixture of sweet and savory. You can’t go wrong with a French classic that features caramelized onion, beef broth, and gruyere cheese. Head to your local French restaurant and try this amazing dish or cook it yourself at home!
