French Onion Soup

I lost my job on Monday. Worst way to start a post, I know, but it's an even worse way to start off a week, so bear with me. The company I worked for had to let around 50 people go and I was one of them. Sad, but I know that it was absolutely not based on my performance.

First thing I did was decide how I was going to drown my sorrows and French Onion Soup was my choice. My darling & talented friend, Aleah, told me that I couldn't possibly be making french onion soup because what makes it french is the cheese. I have to tell you, that's been bothering me all week! So I finally looked it up, and it isn't necessarily the cheese that makes it french, it's the beef stock (gross) and the croutons and the cheese. And the caramelization of the onions. And the potential addition of cognac. Needless to say, my onions were caramelized, but there was no cheese, no beef stock, and I don't keep cognac on hand. I did, however, make some homemade wheat bread that we threw in the soup, so that counts for something, right? Plus, I'M FRENCH!!! I'm french, I made onion soup, therefore it's French Onion Soup. :)



I'M FRENCH Onion Soup
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 30+ minutes

2 large onions, thinly sliced
4 cups of vegetable stock
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp cornstarch

1. In a large pot over medium heat, heat the oil. Add the onions and allow to cook until they start to lightly brown, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute or two. Reduce heat, cover, and let the onions caramelize with the garlic, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes.

2. Add the soy sauce, pepper, and vegetable stock. Bring to a slow boil.

3. Mix the cornstarch in a tbsp of water (this marvelous creation is called slurry, something that's as fun to make as it is to say! I learned about it in chemistry...it's the only liquid that's a solid! Ha!). Slowly add to the soup while stirring. Simmer for 5 minutes.



Your soup is now ready to eat. Again, I made some homemade bread that we sliced up and threw in the soup. You could use croutons. Heck, you could even throw cheese in if you'd like, too, but don't be alarmed if baby cows haunt you in your dreams. Bon appetit!