Everyone, I have to apologize for the lack of posting this past week and a half. We’ve been completely busy with various schoolwork/activities which has put a damper on the amount of time to post. Also, most of our cooking has been in the evenings or for guests so I haven’t had a chance to get pictures. Hopefully this weekend we’ll be able to try out some new recipes to share with you!

Anyway, I also need to apologize for not sharing this sandwich sooner. You see, taking pictures of it seems to be a bit…cursed. The first two times I made it, the sun went down just as the sandwiches were ready to serve (I only shoot with natural light). The next time, I was saving the last sandwich I made to photograph, and I burned it (such a juvenile cooking error, I know, but sometimes I get distracted). This time, the bread was supermarket sourdough without much character and it wouldn’t get crispy, no matter how long it was cooked and no matter how much color it got. So that explains the floppiness in the picture (which, typically, I did not notice while photographing). Feeling hungry yet?

However, this sandwich needs to be posted about, no matter how the mediocre the picture is. This sandwich is amazing, regardless of the road bumps it had to weather on its route to becoming a blog post. Onions are caramelized in butter and olive oil for maximum flavor, seasoned with thyme and beef stock (or white wine if you’re vegetarian, or if you just like wine!), and spread over bread. The whole thing is topped with Gruyère cheese and pan-fried. It is absolutely delicious, and ideal for cold winter days. Better yet, it is much quicker to prepare than real French onion soup, making it practical for any night of the week. We hope you try it!

Also, in case you were wondering what the words were on the plate in the picture, it’s part of a Christmas plate collection that has phrases from ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas on it.

French Onion Soup Sandwich

Recipe adapted slightly from Joy the Baker

Makes 2 generous sandwiches

Ingredients

2 peeled medium yellow onions, sliced into 1/4-inch thick semi-circles

2 tablespoon unsalted butter,softened

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 scant teaspoon coarse sea salt (go scant so you can season to taste as you go along)

1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly cracked

Pinch of granulated sugar

3 tablespoons beef broth or white wine

1/2 cup finely grated Gruyère cheese (we used a bit more, but this is just a suggestion)

4 slices bread (preferably good-quality sourdough)

Directions

Heat a medium sauce pan over medium heat.  Add the butter and olive oil and cook until butter is melted.  Add the sliced onions.  Stir to coat the onions in the oil/butter and allow onions to cook without stirring for 4 minutes.  Add salt, thyme, and pepper and stir.  Place lid on the pan and let onions to cook for 4-minute intervals, stirring in between. The onions will begin to get brown and break down. (Should take 20-30 minutes)

When onions are entirely browned and completely soft, add beef brother or wine to the pan.  Scrape any brown bits off the bottom of the pan as the liquid evaporates for about 30 seconds.  Remove pan from heat.

Butter one side of each slice of bread.  Sprinkle the un-buttered side with Gruyère, top with caramelized onions, more cheese and the second piece of bread.  Repeat process in assembling the other sandwich.

Cook sandwiches over medium heat in a saute pan. Cook until both sides are golden on the outside and the cheese has melted.  Serve immediately while hot. Enjoy!