French Onion Soup - Vegetarian

French onion soup is delicious made with sweet caramelized onions , it's usually made with beef stock and wine. Since this is a vegetarian version of the same, used vegetable stock. This soup has very few simple ingredients.

Serves 2

Ingredients
1 Large Onion
1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Tablespoon Butter
1 clove garlic, finely minced
3 thyme sprigs

1 bay leaf
1 Tablespoon Plain flour

2 Cups Vegetable stock

For the topping
1 Clove Garlic - minced

1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Oil

Bread Slices

A spring to Fresh Thyme

Parmesan Cheese - grated
2 Cheese slices

Method

Slice the onions , heat a very large pan, add the oil and butter when hot, stir in the onions, 2 of the thyme sprigs and the bay leaf. Cook over a high heat for 5 mins, stirring continuously till the onions are caramelized but not brown, yet very soft.
Then add the flour into the onions and stir it over a medium heat for a few mins, add the stock and keep stirring along the bottom of the pan occasionally to mix in the brown sticky bits of onion.

While the soup is simmering.

Heat oven to 180 C .

Make the topping, mix the garlic and the oil together. Brush all over the bread slices, then cut each one into cubes. Scatter over a baking sheet, then bake for 8-10 mins until golden. Set aside. Line a baking sheet with baking parchment or a sheet of silicone. Remove the leaves from the remaining thyme sprig, then mix with the grated Parmesan. Scatter and spread over the lined baking sheet. Bake for about 8 mins until melted and turning golden.

To serve, remove and discard the herbs from the soup. Ladle the soup into bowls – scatter over a few croutons, the cheese slice and a pinch of freshly powder pepper, then place in the oven till the cheese is melted and crisp on top. Serve any remaining croutons separately. This really filling and yum.... I would say delicious.