Have you ever wanted to recreate a restaurant-quality dish right in the comfort of your own kitchen? Today is your lucky day! We’re unlocking the secrets of the Famous Barr French Onion Soup recipe. This is not just any soup; it’s a bowl of warm, comforting, and incredibly delicious goodness. So, grab a spoon, and let’s dive in!
The Famous Barr French Onion Soup comes from a beloved department store restaurant, Famous-Barr, which was a household name in St. Louis for many years. The soup became an instant classic and was one of the must-have items on the menu.
Luckily, the recipe isn’t a closely guarded secret anymore. With just a few ingredients and steps, you can make this legendary soup at home!
Ingredients You Need to Make Famous Barr French Onion Soup:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| yellow onions | 6 large, thinly sliced |
| unsalted butter | 3 tablespoons |
| olive oil | 2 tablespoons |
| beef broth | 8 cups |
| red wine | 1 cup |
| dried thyme | 1 teaspoon |
| bay leaves | 2 |
| French bread | 8 slices |
| grated Gruyere cheese | 1 cup |
| Salt & pepper | to taste |
Tools You’ll Need to Make This Hearty Soup:
- Large pot
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Oven-safe bowls
- Cheese grater
How to Prepare Famous Barr French Onion Soup:
Caramelizing the Onions:
Melt Butter and Oil: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, melt the butter with olive oil over medium heat.
Add Onions: Add the thinly sliced onions to the pot along with the salt. Stir to coat the onions evenly with the butter and oil.
Caramelize: Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook the onions, stirring occasionally, until they are deeply caramelized. This will take about 40-50 minutes. Add a teaspoon of sugar halfway through to aid in caramelization.
Add Garlic: Add minced garlic and sauté for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
Preparing the Soup Base:
Deglaze with Wine: Increase the heat to medium-high and deglaze the pot with white wine, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom.
Add Broth and Herbs: Add the beef broth, bay leaves, and thyme sprigs to the pot. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer.
Season: Add freshly ground black pepper to taste. Allow the soup to simmer for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together. Remove the bay leaves and thyme sprigs after simmering.
Preparing the Cheese-Topped Bread:
Preheat Broiler: Preheat your oven’s broiler and position an oven rack about 6 inches from the heating element.
Toast Bread: Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet and place them under the broiler for 1-2 minutes on each side, until they are toasted to your liking.
Add Cheese: Generously top each toasted bread slice with shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese.
Broil: Place the bread back under the broiler for another minute or two, just until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.
Assembling and Serving:
Ladle Soup: Ladle the hot soup into oven-safe ceramic bowls, filling each about 2/3 full.
Add Bread: Place a cheese-topped bread slice on top of each bowl of soup.
Final Broil: Carefully place the bowls under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with a sprig of thyme or a sprinkle of fresh black pepper.
And there you have it! Your Famous Barr French Onion Soup is ready to serve and enjoy. Bon appétit!
Details:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Soup |
| Cuisine | French |
| Recipe Yield | Serves 8 |
| Calories | Approximately 350 per serving |
| Preparation Time | 45 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 40 minutes |
| Total Time | Approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes |
Tips on Serving the Famous Barr French Onion Soup:
- Cheese Matters: Make sure to use quality Gruyère or Swiss cheese for the classic melted top. The quality of cheese can make a significant difference in taste.
- Toasted Baguette: Pre-toast slices of baguette before adding them to the soup and broiling. This will help them maintain their texture without getting too soggy.
- Ceramic Bowls: For that authentic French bistro feel, use oven-safe ceramic bowls that can be transferred from oven to table.
- Thyme Sprig: A fresh sprig of thyme makes a simple, yet elegant, garnish and nods to the herbal undertones in the soup.
- Serving Sequence: This soup is hearty and often enjoyed as an entrée in France, but you can also serve it as a luxurious starter for a multiple-course meal.
Why You’ll Love This Famous Barr French Onion Soup Recipe:
The Famous Barr French Onion Soup is a medley of deep flavors, from the caramelized onions to the rich beef broth. The meticulous cooking process extracts every ounce of flavor from the ingredients, resulting in a soup that is both hearty and soul-satisfying.
The gooey melted cheese, crispy toasted baguette, and tender onions offer a textural paradise. Each spoonful delivers a different experience, keeping your palate engaged from start to finish.
Whether it’s a cozy winter dinner or a fancy date night, this French Onion Soup fits every occasion. Its versatility makes it a recipe you’ll want to return to again and again.
Conclusion
So there you have it a step-by-step guide on how to make the delicious Famous Barr French Onion Soup! Not only is this recipe full of flavor, but it also offers the kind of comfort that only a bowl of good, homemade soup can give. Give it a try, and let us know how it turns out!