Best French Onion Soup In A Sourdough Bread Bowl Recipes

FRENCH ONION SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Stir in the onions, butter, thyme and bay leaves. Cook, adding some water and scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pot occasionally, until the onions are deep golden brown, about 45 minutes.
• Stir the flour into the onions and then add the beef stock, wine and some salt, and simmer for 30 minutes. Discard the bay leaves.
• While the soup cooks, slice a few inches from the tops of the boules and pull out the bread inside, leaving a 1-inch thick crust. Reserve the insides for serving with the soup.
• Preheat the broiler. Put the bread bowls on a baking sheet. Ladle the soup into the bread bowls. Divide the Gruyere among the bowls and broil until the cheese is melted and bubbly, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the soup bowls to plates and serve hot with the reserved bread, for dipping in the soup.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Put enough olive oil in a heavy-bottomed roasting pan to coat the bottom, then add the beef bones. Roast until browned, turning occasionally, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Put the carrots, celery, onions, bay leaves, garlic and peppercorns in a large stock pot . Add the beef bones, making sure to scrape off and add any brown bits from the roasting pan. Add 8 cups water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, skimming any scum on the surface. Lower the heat and simmer, skimming every hour or so, for 4 1/2 hours.
• Strain the stock through a fine strainer into a metal container. Set the container in an ice bath to cool. If not using right away, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week, or freeze for 4 months.

FRENCH ONION BREAKFAST BREAD BOWL WITH BROCCOLI

Steps:

• Place a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 475 degrees F.
• Slice off the top one-third of the bread with a serrated knife. Hollow out the loaf by cutting a circle around the inside of the bread, leaving a 1-inch border. Pull the soft bread out with your hands, making sure to leave about 1 inch intact at the bottom of the bowl as well. Tear some of the soft insides into large rustic croutons (you'll have about 1 1/2 cups). Reserve the remaining top and bread pieces for another use (such as breadcrumbs).
• Place the bread bowl and croutons on a baking sheet. Spread 2 cups Gruyere inside the bread bowl, pressing the cheese into the sides and bottom to help it adhere. Bake until the cheese is melted and the croutons are golden, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
• Cook the broccoli according to the package directions. Transfer to a colander to drain until cool, 5 minutes. Coarsely chop the broccoli and set aside.
• Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, thyme, bay leaf, sugar, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and golden brown, 16 to 20 minutes. (If the onions begin to darken too quickly, reduce the heat to low, add 1 teaspoon water and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any brown bits that have formed on the bottom of the pan.)
• Remove and discard the thyme sprigs and bay leaf from the onions. Stir in the balsamic vinegar and cook until it is fully reduced and the pan is dry, about 2 minutes. Transfer the onions to a bowl and set aside. Rinse and wipe out the skillet.
• Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons butter in the same skillet over medium heat.
• Meanwhile, beat the eggs, heavy cream, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a medium bowl. Add the egg mixture to the skillet and cook, moving the eggs back and forth with a rubber spatula as they begin to set, until just cooked through and slightly creamy, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and fold in the broccoli.
• Spoon the mixture into the bread bowl, firmly pressing it down with the back of the spoon (you should have about 7 cups of filling). Top with the caramelized onions, then the croutons. Mound the remaining 3 cups Gruyere on top and bake until the cheese is melted and golden around the edges, about 20 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before slicing into wedges.

MIXED-ONION SOUP IN SOURDOUGH BREAD BOWLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch off top of bread loaves. Scoop out bread, leaving 1/2-inch-thick shell. Generously brush inside of bread bowls and lids with melted butter. Place bread bowls and lids, buttered side up, directly on oven rack; bake until crisp, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven; set aside.
• Melt 1/4 cup butter in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add white onions, leeks, red onions, garlic and shallot to pot. Cook until vegetables are dark brown, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes. Add flour and stir 1 minute. Gradually mix in Sherry. Boil mixture until very thick, scraping up browned bits, about 5 minutes. Gradually mix in stock; add thyme and rosemary and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 30 minutes. Add cream; simmer until slightly thickened, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Place 1 bread bowl on each plate. Place bread lid alongside. Ladle soup into bread bowls and serve.