French Onion Soup

Make this gorgeously easy soup for family, friends or colleagues on Friday 26 March, ask for a donation and raise much-needed funds to help Christian Aid in its fight against world poverty and injustice. All it takes is just a bowl of soup...something that is denied to many people in the world's poorest communities. 

To find out more and be part of the Super Soup Lunch register now at  www.christianaid.org.uk/super-soup-lunch 

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  Serves 6

Ingredients
1½ lb (700 g) onions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 oz (50 g) butter
2 cloves garlic, crushed
½ level teaspoon granulated sugar
2 pints (1.2 litres) good beef stock (see link to recipe at the end of the method)
10 fl oz (275 ml) dry white wine
2 tablespoons Cognac
salt and freshly milled black pepper
For the croutons:
French bread or baguettine, cut into 1 inch (2.5 cm) diagonal slices
1 tablespoon olive oil
1-2 cloves garlic, crushed
To serve:
6 large or 12 small croutons (see above)
8 oz (225 g) Gruyère, grated
Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 4, 350°F (180°C).

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Equipment
You will also need a large heavy-based saucepan or flameproof casserole of 6 pint (3.5 litres) capacity.

This recipe is taken from Delia Smith's Winter Collection and The Delia Collection: Soup.

Method

First make the croutons – begin by drizzling the olive oil on to a large, solid baking-sheet, add the crushed garlic and then, using your hands, spread the oil and garlic all over the baking sheet. Now place the bread slices on top of the oil, then turn over each one so that both sides have been lightly coated with the oil.

Bake them in the oven for 20-25 minutes till crispy and crunchy. Next place the saucepan or casserole on a high heat and melt the oil and butter together. When this is very hot, add the onions, garlic and sugar, and keep turning them from time to time until the edges of the onions have turned dark – this will take about 6 minutes. Then reduce the heat to its lowest setting and leave the onions to carry on cooking very slowly for about 30 minutes, by which time the base of the pan will be covered with a rich, nut brown, caramelised film. After that, pour in the stock and white wine, season, then stir with a wooden spoon, scraping the base of the pan well.

As soon as it all comes up to simmering point, turn down the heat to its lowest setting, then go away and leave it to cook very gently, without a lid, for about 1 hour. All this can be done in advance but, when you're ready to serve the soup, bring it back up to simmering point, taste to check for seasoning – and if it's extra-cold outside, add a couple of tablespoons of Cognac! Warm the tureen or soup bowls in a low oven and pre-heat the grill to its highest setting. Then ladle in the hot soup and top with the croutons, allowing them to float on the top of the soup. Now sprinkle the grated Gruyère thickly over the croutons and place the whole lot under the grill until the cheese is golden brown and bubbling. Serve immediately – and don't forget to warn your guests that everything is very hot!

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