Chef Tristan Foucault,
Peasant Cookery
Ingredients
Sachet
3 bay leaves
1 Tbsp black peppercorns
5 sprigs thyme
Soup
9 large yellow onions
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
veal stock or sodium reduced beef broth
kosher salt
sherry vinegar
Croutons
1 baguette
olive oil
6 slices Gruyère
1 1/2 cups grated Gruyère
Method
Sachet
1. Place the bay leaves, peppercorns and thyme in a 7″ square of cheesecloth. Bring in the edges and tie.
Soup
- Cut the onions in half and cut the halves into slices just over 1/2 cm wide.
- In a heavy pot over medium low heat, melt the butter and add the onions.
- Cook the onions slowly, to caramelize them, stirring every 10 to 15 minutes. This process should take around 3 hours.
- Add the veal stock and the sachet.
- Slowly reduce the soup for about an hour, to 3/4 of original volume.
- Season the soup with salt and sherry vinegar to taste.
Croutons
- Cut the baguette into 12 slices, brush with olive oil and toast under the broiler.
Assembly
- Place the soup in onion soup bowls, leaving just over an inch below the top of the bowl.
- Float the croutons on the soup surface, cover with a slice of cheese and a small handful of grated cheese.
- Place the soup under the broiler until it forms a nice golden crust.
Yield 6 servings
