Vegan French Onion Soup w/ Oil Free Option

Getting ready for the Super Bowl this Sunday? Jasmine (Sweet Simple Vegan) and I have collaborated once again to bring you a little bit of sweet and little bit of savory to celebrate. First some soup, then a sundae to follow— a Souper Bowl Sundae 😛 French Onion Soup was always one of my favorites growing up. When I went vegan, it was more difficult to come by because of the diary and beef broth used to make it. I’ve only had a vegan version one other time back in New Jersey at a restaurant called Kaya’s Kitchen. Though that was very good, I must say, I like this one a little bit better. I’ve also added an oil free option if you’d like all of the same delicious flavor but with less fat. Both versions are super easy to make and I promise it won’t last long. Perfect to celebrate on game day or on any occasion, really.

WHAT YOU’ll NEED

• 3 large onions
• 1/2 cup earth balance (omit for oil free option)
• 1 cup red wine
• 6 cups “no-beef” or vegetable stock (use vegetable stock for oil free option)
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tbs fresh garlic, minced
• 3 tbs all purpose flour
• 1 loaf sourdough baguette
• 1 cup of vegan mozzarella shreds  (use nutritional yeast or homemade cashew cheese for oil free option)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cut onions in half vertically  and thinly slice into strips
2. Add onions to large pot with 1/2 cup earth balance,  fresh thyme, and 2 bay leaves and let simmer on medium heat for 20-30 minutes, until onions are cooked down and caramelized
   • Oil Free Option – Pressure cook onions in vegetable stock for 10-15 minutes
3. Once onions are fully cooked down and caramelized, remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaves
4. Add 1 cup of wine and stir until evaporated
5. Add 4 tbs of all purpose flour and mix until onions fully coated
6. Add 6 cups of “no-beef” broth or vegetable stock and let simmer on medium for 10 minutes
7. When ready to serve, turn the oven to broil, and  thinly slice sourdough baguette
8. Add soup to oven safe crock bowls or ramekins, place two slices of baguette on top of each and cover with vegan mozzarella shreds or nutritional yeast
9. Place in broiler for 2-5 minutes until the cheese and melted and browns
10. Enjoy!

READY FOR THE SUNDAE?