Friday, October 24, 2008

Caramelized Onion and Roasted Shallot Soup


This soup was passed along to me from my sister. Mushy made this as her comfort food yesterday, when we were having a rough time with our brother. When cooking soup becomes a form of therapy, clearly my mother did something right with the tradition of soup. This one is my therapy tonight!

Ingredients

16 large shallots
1 Tablespoon olive oil
3/4 cup (1.5 sticks) unsalted butter
3.5 lbs. onions thinly sliced
2 Tablespoons (packed) golden brown sugar
3/4 cup cream sherry, divided
1 Tablespoon dried Thyme (or fresh)
1 Tablespoon dried sage (or fresh)
2 cups low salt chicken broth
1 cup beef broth
3 cups whipping cream
3 Tablespoons minced fresh thyme
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/2 Tablespoon hot pepper sauce
8 fresh sage leaves


Process
  1. Preheat oven 375 degrees
  2. Peel shallots and toss with olive oil in bowl.
  3. Arrange shallots on a large rimmed baking sheet spacing them evenly apart
  4. Bake until golden brown, turning occasionally, about 30 minutes.
  5. Melt butter in a heavy large pot over medium high heat.
  6. Add onions and sugar and cook until onions are deep golden brown, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. About 50 minutes.
  7. Add whole shallots, 1/2 cup sherry and dried herbs to onions.
  8. Cook until almost all liquid evaporates, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
  9. Add both broths and simmer for 25 minutes.
  10. Add cream and simmer until soup thickens - about 10 minutes. (this can be made a day ahead, cooled slightly and then refrigerated. Bring to simmer before continuing)
  11. Add fresh thyme, if desired, parsley, hot pepper sauce, and remaining 1/4 cup sherry to soup. (Mushy added 1/2 cup here because that's what you do with sherry when you are stressed)
  12. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  13. Ladle into bowls.
  14. Garnish with sage leaves if desired and serve.
Mushy reheated 1 serving and added Gruyere cheese. She said "It's a pretty rich soup already, but YUM!" I think cheese is our all time favorite comfort food.

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