Caramelized Onion Soup with Onions to Spare

Name: Caramelized Onion Soup with Onions to Spare
Prep time: 35 min
Total time: 105 min
Ingredients: 0.25 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter; 4 to 6 large yellow onions, thinly sliced (about 9 cups); 1 teaspoon sugar; Coarse salt and ground pepper; 4 sprigs thyme; 1 dried bay leaf; 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon sherry, white wine, or brandy; 4 cups beef broth; Toasted stale rustic bread; 1 garlic clove, peeled; Fresh parsley

3.6

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By

Martha Stewart Test Kitchen

Updated on May 16, 2017

Prep Time:

35 mins

Total Time:

1 hr 45 mins

Servings:

4

This recipe makes more caramelized onions than you need. Set some aside before turning the rest into soup, and use them on toast, with pasta, or in omelets.

Ingredients

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 to 6 large yellow onions, thinly sliced (about 9 cups)
1 teaspoon sugar
Coarse salt and ground pepper
4 sprigs thyme
1 dried bay leaf
1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sherry, white wine, or brandy
4 cups beef broth
Toasted stale rustic bread
1 garlic clove, peeled
Fresh parsley

Directions

In a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot, heat oil and 2 tablespoons butter over medium-high. Add onions, sugar, 2 teaspoons salt, thyme, and bay leaf. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring frequently to scrape up any browned bits, until onions are deep golden brown and have a jam-like consistency, about 1 hour. If onions begin to stick, reduce heat and stir in 1 tablespoon water.
Discard herbs. Reserve 1/2 cup onions (leaving 1 3/4 cups in pot). Stir in 1 tablespoon butter, flour, and sherry and cook until butter is melted, 30 seconds. Add broth, increase heat, and simmer 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Rub bread with garlic, then place in bowls and ladle soup on top. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with parsley.