French onion soup has to be one of my favourite soups but I do not make it nearly often enough. I recently came across the idea of an apple french onion soup that sounded really good and gave me the perfect excuse to make french onion soup again! The star of a good french onion soup is of course the onions which are slowly caramelized until they are golden brown and amazingly sweet. I normally build up the broth of the french onion soup using beef broth and red wine and for this version I added some apple cider and grated apples. Perhaps the best part of the french onion soup is that it is topped with toast and cheese and thrown under the broiler until the cheese is all bubbling and golden brown. The combination of the sweet caramelized onions and the savoury melted cheese is absolutely divine and the apple flavours of this version adds a perfect hint of fall to the soup.
Apple French Onion Soup
A fall take on French onion soup with apples and apple cider.
ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 pounds onions, sliced
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 apple, peeled and julienned
- 1 teaspoon thyme, chopped
- 3 tablespoons flour (rice flour for gluten-free)
- 1 cup white wine
- 2 cups beef or vegetable broth
- 1 cup apple cider
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 splash brandy (optional)
- salt & pepper to taste
- 4 1/2 inch thick slices of day old bread, toasted (gluten free or omit for gluten free)
- 1 1/2 cup gruyere or fontina, grated
directions
- Melt the butter in a large sauce pan over medium heat.
- Add the onions and water and cook, covered, until completely tender and caramelized and golden, about 2 hours, adding more water as needed.
- Add the apple and thyme and cook for a minute.
- Sprinkle in the flour and cook, stirring, for another minute.
- Add the wine and deglaze the pan.
- Add the broth, cider and bay leaves, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Season the soup with salt and pepper and add a splash of brandy.
- Divide the soup between 4 oven safe bowls, top with the toast followed by the cheese and broil until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.
Looks sweet and savory. I bet it was absolutely delicious.
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I love French onion soup, too, and also do not make it as often as I should. The addition of apple sounds very interesting – maybe I'll try that next time!
This sounds positively delicious!
this looks great, I haven't had french onion soup in forever.
wow what a great idea. I love french onion soup and would love to try this one 🙂
Just what the doctor ordered! Scrumptious.
Cheers,
Rosa
Lovely picture! Looks absolutely delicious!
Loved your blog!
yummilicious!
I love this idea!
Looks beautiful!Apple and onion sounds yummy!
Have a great day
Those flavours sound incredible. The last time I tried Drench onion soup was in a French restaurant and ever since trying it I haven't made it at home for fear it wouldn't match up in any way and spoil the memory for me! But I'll try it now.
The sweet apples with all that salty cheese must taste so good together!
How interesting!! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
I was planning on making French onion Soup tonight and I was searching for a good recipe, when yours poped in my inbox! Thank you, can't wait to make it!
French onion is my very favorite soup… this version looks lovely Kevin!
I keep meaning to make French Onion Soup as an example of Re-Trying My Least Favorite Foods for my blog. I am an avid Onion Avoider, but I've had a French Onion soup or two that wasn't half bad. The apples in this make the concept of a Soup o' Onions a lot more appealing!
Oh this sounds yummy! I love french union soup, and the addition of apples sounds magnificent. I can't wait to give this recipe a try 🙂
Love the addition of the apple to the french onion soup. Certainly want to give it a try.
I have been making onion soup ever since I discovered the recipe in Julia Child's cook book eons ago. Granted it is delicious and the apples sound and a good winter meal. The apples contribution will be given a go the next time.
The apples sound like a great addition – I love a little extra sweetness!
Was just checking this recipe out and I thought that instead of brandy you could use calvados, an apple based eau de vie…
Tried it and while cooking I was extremely sceptic. But the result was very delicious.
I made this last night. Best french onion soup I've ever had. the apple idea is genius. thanks!
I just made it. Tastes lovely.
I love French Onion Soup, and the thought of adding apples and cider seemed like a no brainer. The combination of flavors is fantastic, and the result was not too sweet. I followed the recipe almost exactly, but I did add my splash of brandy with the other liquids. I was forced to use dried thyme because I didn’t have any that was fresh. I used a Granny Smith apple. NOTE: It only took my onions a little over 1 hour to carmelize, which reduced my cooking time. Thanks Kevin for another great recipe!