French Shallot Soup

It's the onion's much cooler cousin

I'm the shallot's biggest fan. As Anthony Bourdain says in Kitchen Confidential, that restaurant touch that you love and can't seem to replicate at home is probably just shallots and butter. So much butter. And in this recipe, SO MANY shallots.

"Shallots are so chic." - another wise quote by me

French onion soup is a classic, and if it's on the menu, it will probably end up in front of me. However, I do think there is a place here for the smoother, slightly quieter shallot. Just try it...if you have the time to slice all of these shallots.

FRENCH SHALLOT SOUP (makes around 2 large bowls or 4 small bowls)

Ingredients

As always, feel free to mix it up and cook with your heart!

• 12 Shallots, thinly sliced

• 6 Cloves of Garlic, minced

• 3 tablespoons of butter

• 2 tablespoons of flour

• 1/2 cup of dry white wine

• 2 teaspoons of soy sauce or Worshesire

• 1 branch of thyme

• 1 bay leaf

• 4 Cups of Beef Stock

• Croutons and Gruyere to top

• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Thinly slice shallots and mince garlic and thyme.

2. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a Dutch oven or large pot.

3. Begin by sautéing by adding shallots, 1/4 cup of water, and a couple of large pinches of salt to a heavy-bottomed pot. Simmer on medium-high until the water evaporates. This will break down the shallots and jumpstart the caramelization process.

4. Caramelize the shallots on medium-low heat for at least 45 minutes, or until the shallots are a deep bronze color. Don't rush this step!

5. Add in the minced garlic and 2 tablespoons of flour and toast for 2 minutes.

6. Deglaze with 1/2 cup cup of dry white wine, and let it cook for 2 minutes

7. Add in 4 cups of beef stock or bullion, 2 teaspoons of soy sauce, a bay leaf, salt, pepper, and thyme, leaves left on the stems. The leaves will fall off as the soup simmers.

8. Simmer uncovered for at least 20 minutes.

9. Remove the remaining thyme stems. Serve with croutons and gruyere and/or parm. Broil until browned. (optional)

Check out the rest of my fall soups from this week:

Creamy Chicken Italian Sausage and Gnocchi Soup

Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup

Thai Green Curry Noodle Soup 

Shortcut Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

Did you make this? Let me know how it turned out in the comments!