French Onion Soup

Originally I'd intended this blog to be about faith, family, food and reflections on all related subjects.  I think I've certainly gotten to the family, and some of the faith part- but I completely forgot about the FOOD part!!!  Seriously- I do love food.  I love creating it and eating it!  It is so healing for me... for the most part! 

This, like lots of things, can be kind of hard when you are living within pretty limited financial constraints.  I have oodles of foodie mags laying around taunting me with all the wonderful things I could be making, but with a husband in law school, a busy toddler, and a part time job that well... I won't be getting rich from- you have to get creative.  Nevertheless, food is one of the many things in life I love.  It allows me to be creative, zone in on the task at hand, forget about life's stresses and it nurtures people.  

So with a VERY limited budget I play this, "what can I make with what we have" game.  It's actually kind of fun & challenging. I was looking around our kitchen sometime a few weeks ago and we didn't have much, but this gigantic onion.  This onion soon became this lovely soup, which I have adapted from the Mennonite "More With Less Cookbook.  The Mennonites are very good at living this example.  They are the true origianl "Green and Simple Living" folks, before "Green" was "In".  A large piece of their faith is expressed by their beliefs that we must try to be good stewards of the earth God created by living simply, using what we have, being conscious in our decision making and valuing people and relationships above material goods.  If I'm being honest, I admit that is a tall order sometimes!  Mennonites don't mess around- they're awesome.

Back to soup- some folks have asked for the recipe so here you have it:

1 large onion

2 T. butter

2T. flour  

salt to taste

4-5 C. beef broth (homemade is the best)

french bread

cheese (ideally swiss, but we had some mozzarella)

*Slice an ENTIRE onion, trying not to cry.  Ha!  In large stock pot, brown the slices in butter about 15mn. until a bit carmalized.  Add the flour and stir until coated and brown bits accumulate on the bottom of your pan.  Stir in broth, scraping brown bits up to boost flavor.  Simmer for 30 mn. (honestly, I can rarely be this patient).  But if you have the time its worth it.  Meanwhile, toast several slices of bread (any good crusty bread is great), place bread on top.

Top with cheese and place under broiler 3-5mn.  Serve up into bowls with a green salad and enjoy!!!  This is an awesome meal for cozy, cold Autumn evenings!!!

Speaking of food- Happy Turkey Day!  We all have so much to be grateful for.