I’m thinking how to start this post without mentioning that the summer is ending and the Fall is just around the corner… Well, I just said it anyway, so I guess we can move on 🙂 Onion soup it’s not something I would eat quite often. Onion soup is a memory from my childhood, a very strange one and not linked to what my mom used to cook for us. I remember as a little girl I read a lot, I mean, A LOT. We always had books at home, and surprisingly, it was my dad buying them for us. Why surprisingly you might ask- because my dad doesn’t like reading books 😀 If they have pictures of birds (he’s crazy about birds), yes, he could have a look, otherwise not really. But we could ask for any book we wanted and he would buy it for us. Once I got a book about two little sisters, living in a French country side with their parents. I can barely remember what it was about, but I still remember the atmosphere- very dark, maybe even a bit too scary for a child, lots of rain, I remember the drawings from the book, two little girls wearing those cute, wooden shoes called sabot and… the onion soup.
That’s why when I decided to prepare this recipe, I already could see these pictures in my head the way you can see them today. Did you know that this soup is one of the oldest existing ever? Onion was considered as food for poor people, and it’ true that it was commonly used because it is very easy to grow. However, onion is very rich in vitamins and I can tell you that, when I was little my dad used to make a kind of syrup from onions, any time my sister and I were sick. You simply peel one or two onions, cut them into smaller pieces, place them in a glass jar and add two, three tablespoons of sugar. Leave it for the whole night and the next day you have a thick syrup, which helps to fight cough and first signs of cold. We used to hate the thing, as the taste is very strong. But now my sister makes it any time her own children are sick and she makes them drink it 😀 I do it from time to time too. It works. Try it of you feel like you’re getting sick. I’m sure it’s a better and more natural way of fighting the first symptoms of cold.
The recipe for this soup is very simple and not time consuming- unless you want to take some pictures 😉 Also, my version of onion soup is a bit lighter as I don’t use any cheese- in France it would be gruyere. This soup calls for some meat- and bacon is the best option, however if you’re vegetarian you can easily replace it with tofu or soy sausages. Just remember not to miss one of these ingredients, as it really makes a whole. Onion soup is very popular in France, but also in Italy. And my recipe is based on Italian version. I hope you will like it. Also I have to say that this soup was even more tasty the next day 🙂
Ingredients
Makes 4 servings, preparation time- 20 min max, cooking time- around 40 min,
- 6-7 big onions- usually around 700 g
- 3-4 big tomatoes
- 3-4 slices of bacon, for a vegetarian version tofu or soy sausages
- bread- as many slices as you want, toast it in the oven before serving the soup
- thyme, basil- chop everything in advance
- vegetable stock or simply water, however if you’re not vegetarian use beef stock, as this is what the tradition calls for ( I used a pot of 3 L)
- 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil
- salt and black pepper
Method
In advance slice some bacon into smaller pieces and fry it. Bacon should be nicely crunchy. Leave it aside when ready.
Prepare the tomatoes. What I did was, I sliced them first and them crushed them in a glass bowl.
And now the onions. Well, you have to do it 🙂 Slice them as fast as you can!
In a big sauce pan heat the olive oil and fry gently the onions, until they get this nice golden color. Stir occasionally to avoid burning. Add the bacon and combine the ingredients. Fry for another 5-6 min and add the tomatoes, again combine everything and then add the stock or water. Season the soup according to your taste and add the basil leaves and thyme. Leave the soup on low heat for another 40 min- not longer, also try it at some point and make sure that the onions and tomatoes are tender. Stir it occasionally and if you notice that the soup thickens too much just add some water. After 40 min of cooking the vegetables are ready for sure. Serve hot with some toasted bread, and if you like cheese, just add a slice- do it at the very end when the soup is served on your plate. Bon Appetit!
Plate du Jour 
Looking through your blog makes me so hungry ❤ love these dishes!
http://www.sillycrazylove.com
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Thank you! I’m glad you like my blog 🙂
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mmm… you have no idea how much I love onion soup! I’m dying to try your recipe too!
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Hello Marta, I was looking at your post once again, and it’s amazing how each picture is looking so damn good! You are my master 🙂
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Haha I was looking at your garden today, going there once again just now, your pumpkin looks incredible!!
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Damn delicious and comforting soup Martha!!!
i can imagine the fragrance and the sweet of caramelized onion taste in the soup…
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Thank you 🙂 I’m glad you like it, it was yummy indeed!
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I have never had onion soup without cheese before, but I think I will like your Italian version just as much as French 🙂
Love your photos, Marta; I have got to say I am loving the “light” version so very much. They are gorgeous 🙂
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You noticed? I made some adjustments let’s put it this way, but the new ones are to come yet! That’s only the beginning I hope 🙂 I still think of that pork belly recipe by the way- was looking at it again this morning awwwwwwwww on Monday I’m working on a new food photo project, will email you. I hope your bags are packed and you’re ready!! 🙂 xx
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Onion soup is the best, especially with the cheese, but that needs to be a once-in-awhile treat these days. 🙂 I like the Italian spin. Maybe I should do it with guanciale. Ken
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Pancetta is also perfect with this soup. I used lard because I can buy it at the real French butcher so I just enjoyed this opportunity- as always! Thank you so much for visiting 🙂
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Marta, it’s my turn to be amazed, your Onion Soup looks absolutely perfect. So warm and so inviting, perfectly cooked and the pictures Mama Mia are stunning 🙂 I love your post, you remind me my life in Paris during winter time. Have a wonderful week xx
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I’m so happy you like it 🙂 in the end all this is to keep us happy and inspired. Thank you so much Lina and have a lovely week too xx
P.S.putting crosses in my calendar- 7 days to go 😀
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Marta, this is amazing. I adore Onion soup, it is one of my fave winter warmers, although I didnt realise it had the good things for me too. Thats sweet! The addition of bacon takes it next level. 🙂 The end of Summer for you is a massive bonus for me. Bring on the warmth and defrost. So ready for the change in seasons this end. 🙂
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Haha that’s not fair! I’m not ready for the winter at all!! Believe me I would be more than happy to write about winter warmers in the full sun 😀
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I add onion in almost al dish I can never thought about soup super cool Marta:-)
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I hope you can try it, it’s really good. Onion in its whole glory 🙂
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Yummy!Perfect for a sunny evening!
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I’m such a fan of onions in any form, that I’m already hooked by the title. But the addition of the bacon and tomatoes and fresh thyme makes this soup even more to my liking! This definitely goes on my “to try” list – as soon as it will get a bit colder… 🙂
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You see, you understand me Ronit. To be honest I can’t imagine serious cooking without onions, even if it seems boring but they simply add so much taste to the food. I managed to “save” so many dishes mostly because I also used onions. Now I started using different types too, since here in Lux the choice is incredible. Onion is probably the only vegetable I always have at home, and garlic 🙂
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I totally agree!
I posted quite a few recipes with caramelized onions, and I try to hold back, for fear of being repetitive… 😀
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😀 I know the feeling!
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I have to say that I agree with Naina. I too have never seen anyone make onions look so good – glamorous even. I have never knowingly had onion soup with obvious meat in it (beef stock, of course) so I am intrigued by this Italian version. Although I rarely eat meat I think I would prefer the bacon to soy or veggie sausages! Nothing can quite replicate its flavour. Beautiful soup. Almost worth this early autumn 🙂
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Thank you so much Kellie 🙂 We loved the soup, enough to say that I sure will be making it again this week- got the bacon already! We eat meat during the weekends only and not always, these few pieces of bacon would be hard to call meat, it was just to give this nice smoked flavour. As for the pictures, this was one of the nicest sessions I’ve worked on so far, mostly due to those lovely colors and shapes of onions 🙂
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Marta, seriously, I’ve never seen anyone make onions look so good!! Gorgeous, gorgeous pictures and a lovely post 🙂 I can’t stop talking about summer ending either 😦 but atleast I have lovely comforting recipes like this one to look forward to 😀
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Thank you so much Naina! I have to say it was a real pleasure to work on this recipe, onions are beautiful 🙂 I guess we all have to support each other, you will look at my trecipes and I will be looking at yours for sure and that’s how we will survive until next summer 🙂 xx
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Ha ha, deal! xx
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Very nice Marta!
I didn’t know Onion Soup had so many health benefits!
I love that you added bacon to this too. I didn’t expect that 🙂
And yes girl, I hear you about summer ending. I woke up this morning and SMELLED fall. The air smells different when fall comes. Not ready for it and definitely and not happy about it.
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Bacon is the key to everything, pity you cannot really have it in your dessert isn’t it 😀 just kidding! Onions are very healthy and good for you, but they can be heavy on your stomach sometimes. We went on a little trip today and you know it’s true, you can smell the fall in the air. I don’t want to think about it!!
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Haha! I know right! Bacon icecream? Haha!
I keep telling people that fall is in the air. I think it has something to do with the leaves changing.
Nooooooo!!!
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I love that Dana can “smell Fall” 🙂
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