Vegetarian Onion Soup

Dib's's Note:

When my daughter converted to vegetarianism she really missed winters with French Onion soup-here's a version she really enjoys!

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

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• ½ cup butter
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
• 5 cups thinly sliced yellow onions
• 1 ½ cups dry white wine
• 4 cups water
• ¼ cup packed chopped parsley
• 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 whole cloves
• 4 slices of toasted French bread , 1 inch
• 4 cups grated gouda cheese

Directions:

1. In a large saucepot or soup pot melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Add the onions and pepper stirring to coat the onions.
3. Continue to cook for 30 minutes, stirring often.
4. Add the wine and stir for 3 minutes, deglazing the pot.
5. Bring to a boil and add the water, parsley, soy sauce, thyme, bay leaves and cloves.
6. Return to a boil.
7. Once a good boil is reached, reduce heat to a medium low simmer and cook for another 30 minutes.
8. Remove from heat, cover and let stand for 1 hour.
9. Remove the bay leaves and 2 cloves-discard.
10. Ladle soup into 4 oven safe bowls or ramekins.
11. Place one toast slice on top of each serving and divide cheese evenly on top of toast.
12. Place in oven set on broil.
13. While watching carefully allow cheese to melt and get bubble and JUST toasted.
14. Serve.

Reviews

[Tarte Citron]

This was great. It's not easy to find a good vegetarian French onion soup recipe but this was perfect; even my husband, who hates onions, had a second bowl. I used vegetable broth rather than plain water (and had to use about two additional cups) and I used Gruyere cheese which gave it a nice tang.

[Geri by the Sea]

Thank you! I haven't had French Onion Soup since I went veg in '89, and I've missed it. I finally got me some oven safe bowls and went looking for a recipe, and yours hit the spot. The gouda was a nice innovative touch. We loved it.