French onion soup
1558075
216383957
2008-06-01T11:45:31Z
Shinerunner
4765638
added prepared food infobox
{{Infobox Prepared Food
| name = French Onion Soup
| image = [[Image:Plate_french_onion_soup.jpg|300px]]
| caption = Plate of french onion soup.
| alternate_name =
| country = France
| region =
| creator = Multiple claims
| course =
| served =
| main_ingredient = [[Onion]] <br> [[Beef broth]] <br> [[Crouton]]s <br> [[Cheese]]
| variations = Vegan Versions
| calories =
| other =
}}
'''French onion soup''' is an [[onion]] and [[beef broth]] based [[soup]] traditionally served with [[crouton]]s and [[cheese]] as toppings. Although ancient in origin, this dish underwent a resurgence of popularity in the 1960s due to the growth of French cooking in the United States.<ref name = "FTL">[http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodsoups.html#frenchonionsoup French onion soup] at [http://www.foodtimeline.org The Food Timeline] website</ref>
==History==
Onion soups have been popular at least as far back as Roman times. They were, throughout history, seen as food for the poor people, as onions were plentiful and easy to grow. The modern version of this soup originates in France in the 17<sup>th</sup> century,<ref name = "FTL">[http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodsoups.html#frenchonionsoup French onion soup] at [http://www.foodtimeline.org The Food Timeline] website</ref> made from dry bread or [[crouton]]s, beef broth, and [[caramelize]]d onions. It is often [[broil]]ed in a [[ramekin]] traditionally with [[gruyere cheese|gruyère]] melted on top. The crouton on top is reminiscent of ancient [[sop]]s (see [[Soup#Early_history|"Early history" section of '''soup''']]).
Legend has it that the soup was created by [[Louis XV of France|King Louis XV]] of France. Late one night, he discovered he only had onions, butter and champagne at his hunting lodge, so he mixed them together to create the first French onion soup.<ref>Duncan, Monroe (May 2005), [http://wtar.com/restaurantradio/restaurants/articles/soupe.shtml "Soupe à l’oignon Gratineé,"] at [http://wtar.com/restaurantradio/ The Restaurant Show]</ref> Alternate stories attribute the creation to [[Louis XIV of France|King Louis XIV]].<ref>[http://www.travelguide2france.com/r1_recipes.php French Recipes and Cookbooks] at [http://www.travelguide2france.com travelguide2france.com]</ref>
[[Julia Child]]'s last meal was French Onion Soup. She died peacefully in her sleep of kidney failure soon after.
==Preparation==
The rich flavor of the base is not due just to the broth, but to the caramelized onions.<ref>[http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/french-onion-soup French Onion Soup] at [http://www.marthastewart.com/ marthastewart.com]</ref> Caramelization, in this case, is the procedure in which the onions are cooked slowly until the melting sugars approach burning temperature, becoming brown. This can be accomplished within half an hour, but many chefs and cooks allow for hours of cooking to bring out the complex flavors of the onions' sugars. In the final stages of cooking, [[Cognac (drink)|cognac]] or [[sherry]] is often used to enhance the caramelized onion flavor and to [[deglaze]] the pan.<ref name = "fos">[http://www.frenchonionsoups.com/ frenchonionsoups.com]</ref>
The base is usually topped with the crouton,<ref name = "fos">[http://www.frenchonionsoups.com/ frenchonionsoups.com]</ref> which will be very dry and crusty to allow it to withstand lying on the soup surface while baked or broiled with a good melting cheese on top. The soup is then served in the bowl or ramekin in which it was broiled or baked.
==Variations==
Variations of the basic recipe include:
*Preparation without cheese for [[vegan]]s<ref name = "veg">Bennett, Beverly L.,[http://www.veganchef.com/french.htm Vegetarian French Onion Soup] at [http://www.veganchef.com The Vegan Chef]</ref>
*Using vegetable stock or water (instead of beef stock) for [[vegan]]s or [[vegetarian]]s<ref name = "veg">Bennett, Beverly L.,[http://www.veganchef.com/french.htm Vegetarian French Onion Soup] at [http://www.veganchef.com The Vegan Chef]</ref>
*Brown broth meats like necks or tails to render fat for the onions and add their own flavor and body to the dish.
==See also==
* [[French cuisine]]
* [[List of soups]]
==References==
<references/>
==External links==
{{Cookbook|Onion Soup}}
* [http://www.retrofoodrecipes.com/french_onion_soup.html Pellaprat's French Onion Soup Recipe from 1936]
* [http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_156,00.html Alton Brown's French Onion Soup Recipe]
* [http://www.recipeomnibus.com/page02.htm Recipe for (French) Onion Soup]
[[Category:Soups]]
[[Category:French cuisine]]
[[de:Zwiebelsuppe]]
[[es:Sopa de cebolla]]
[[fr:Soupe à l'oignon gratinée]]
[[id:Soupe à l'oignon gratinée]]
[[he:מרק בצל]]
[[nl:Uiensoep]]
[[ja:ツヴィーベル・ズッペ]]
[[ru:Французский луковый суп]]