Classic French Onion Soup

Total TimePrep: 20 min.

 Cook: 2 hours

Makes12 servings (2-1/4 quarts)

Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 8 cups thinly sliced onions (about 3 pounds)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup port wine
• 2 cartons (32 ounces each) beef broth
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 24 slices French bread baguette (1/2 inch thick)
• 2 large garlic cloves, peeled and halved
• 3/4 cup shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese

Directions

1. 
   
2. In a Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons oil and butter over medium heat. Add onions; cook and stir until softened, 10-13 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring occasionally, until deep golden brown, 30-40 minutes. Add minced garlic; cook 2 minutes longer.
3. Stir in wine. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced by half. Add broth, pepper and salt; return to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour.
4. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400°. Place baguette slices on a baking sheet; brush both sides with remaining 3 tablespoons oil. Bake until toasted, 3-5 minutes on each side. Rub toasts with halved garlic.
5. To serve, place twelve 8-oz. broiler-safe bowls or ramekins on baking sheets; place 2 toasts in each. Ladle with soup; top with cheese. Broil 4 in. from heat until cheese is melted.

Three-Cheese Onion Soup: Omit oil.

 Arrange bread slices on an ungreased baking sheet. Combine Gruyere and 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle over bread. Broil 4 in. from the heat for 1-2 minutes or until cheese is melted. Ladle soup into serving bowls; top each with two pieces of toast. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Test Kitchen tipsCommon olive oil works better for cooking at high heat than virgin or extra virgin oil. These higher grades have ideal flavor for cold foods, but they smoke at lower temperatures.Depending on your region, sweet onions may be available only during the warmer months of the year. You can use regular yellow onions in the soup recipe. 

Nutrition Facts

3/4 cup soup with 2 slices bread and 1 tablespoon cheese: 195 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 805mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.

Creamed Pearl Onions

Total TimePrep: 30 min. + chilling 

Bake: 25 min.

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

4 cups pearl onions

3 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon saltDash pepper

3/4 cup chicken broth

3/4 cup half-and-half cream

1/4 cup minced fresh parsley

3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheesePimiento strips, optional

Directions

In a Dutch oven or large kettle, bring 8 cups water to a boil. Add pearl onions; boil until tender, 6-7 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water; peel and set aside.In a saucepan, melt butter. Stir in the flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Gradually stir in broth and cream. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in the parsley, cheese and onions.Pour into an ungreased 1-1/2-qt. baking dish. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Cover and bake at 350° for 15 minutes; stir. Top with pimientos if desired. Bake, uncovered, 10 minutes longer or until bubbly and heated through.

Editor's Note: To bake after preparing the onions, transfer to 1-qt. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until bubbly.Want to save time? Swap in frozen onions so you don't have to par cook or peel them.Nutrition Facts3/4 cup: 151 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 440mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.

Caramelized Onion & Garlic Pasta

Total TimePrep: 20 min. 

Cook: 35 min.

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter, cubed

2 large sweet onions, thinly sliced

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/8 teaspoon salt8 garlic cloves, minced

2 cups grape tomatoes, halved

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil, divided

1 package (16 ounces) uncooked angel hair pasta

9 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

2/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepperFresh basil leaves, optional

Directions

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add the onions, pepper flakes and salt; saute until onions are tender. Stir in garlic. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring occasionally, for 30-40 minutes or until onions are deep golden brown.Add the tomatoes, vinegar and 2 tablespoons oil to the skillet. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta; toss with onion mixture.Drizzle with remaining olive oil. Sprinkle with bacon, cheese, and pepper; heat through. Garnish with basil if desired.

Nutrition Facts1-1/2 cups: 587 calories, 25g fat (9g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 496mg sodium, 71g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 4g fiber), 19g protein.

Baked Vidalia Onions

Total TimePrep: 5 min. 

Bake: 50 min.

Makes 2 servings

Ingredients

2 small Vidalia or sweet onions

4 teaspoons butter

1/4 teaspoon salt

Dash pepper

Garlic salt to taste, optional

Directions

Quarter onions halfway through and open slightly. Place each on a 18x12-in. piece of heavy-duty foil. Place 2 teaspoons butter in center of each onion; sprinkle with salt, pepper and, if desired, garlic salt. Fold foil to seal tightly. Bake at 350° until onions are tender, 50-60 minutes. Open foil carefully to allow steam to escape.

Nutrition Facts1 onion: 148 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 376mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein.

Crispy Fried Onion Rings

Total TimePrep/Total Time: 25 min.

Makes 12 servings 

Ingredients

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup water

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon seasoned salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 large onion, very thinly sliced

Oil for deep-fat frying

Directions

In a shallow bowl, whisk the first 5 ingredients. Separate onion slices into rings. Dip rings into batter. In a deep-fat fryer, heat 1 in. oil to 375°. In batches, fry onion rings until golden brown, 1 to 1-1/2 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts1/2 cup: 71 calories, 5g fat (0 saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 153mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.