Vegan French Onion Soup

magpie diner's Note:

Tweaked from a few online recipes. I always enjoyed this soup as a meat eater, haven't had it in years so I'm happy to have this vegan variation now. It's warm and comforting and fairly simple, although there is a lot of chopping involved with the onions, so pull out your processor! Skip the cheese on top if you are not a fan of vegan cheese. Enjoy!

• Total Time: 1 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 8 medium onions , quartered and thinly sliced
• 2 garlic cloves , minced
• 2 cups water
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• ¼ cup red wine
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard (powder)
• sea salt , to taste
• fresh ground pepper , to taste
• ½ whole wheat baguette (or sub Italian style bread...same result)
• 1 ½ cups grated soy mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1. Heat the olive oil over medium-low heat in a soup pot. Add the onions and sauté them until golden, being careful not to burn - adjust heat down if necessary.
2. Add the garlic and continue to sauté slowly until the onions are lightly and evenly browned, stirring frequently, about 20 to 25 minutes.
3. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
4. Pour the water over the onions and give them a good stir. Then add the broth, wine, and mustard. Bring to a gentle boil, then lower the heat. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes. Season to your tastes with salt and pepper.
5. While the soup is simmering, cut the bread into 1-inch-thick slices, allowing 1 or 2 slices per serving depending on the size of your soup bowls. Lay the slices on a baking sheet and bake them for about 15 minutes until they are dry and crisp, turning the slices over once about halfway through the baking time. Watch that they don't burn.
6. To assemble the soup, place one layer of bread (1 or 2 slices) in each ovenproof bowl and ladle a serving of soup over it.
7. If you're using the cheese - sprinkle about 1/4 cup of the grated cheese over each. Place the bowls back onto the baking sheet and bake them for approximately 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Serve immediately.

Reviews

[Sydney Mike]

I did cut this recipe in half since there were just 2 of us & I pretty much followed the recipe, but did omit the cheese & did use the whole wheat bread! Although I'm not the biggest fan of this kind of soup, my other half really enjoyed it! [Tagged, made & reviewed as a recipenap in Vegetarian/Vegan Recipe Swap 16]

[KristinV]

I have never been lucky enough to try a homemade French Onion Soup, instead sticking to the quick but often bland, packet mixes so I am by no means the final word in French Onion Soups. I have also lost the ability to eat everyday french onion soup due to a recent veg*n switch. This recipe is lovely and fairly low maintenance. The bread (with or without vegan cheese) is essential. While I really enjoyed this recipe, it won't be going into regular rotation. Thanks for the wonderful experience Magpie! Made for the French leg of ZWT5.