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Christa
I consider myself a French onion soup connoisseur, but I also prefer to eat vegetarian: that being said, this soup is AMAZING. The miso is a BRILLIANT idea. Don't be stupid, however, as I was: whisk in the miso BEFORE adding the onions (duh). The thyme is a lovely touch: don't leave it out.
PNRN
Love this! This is the 2nd time I've cooked it. I used (Organicville's Saikyo sweet white miso) last time & a pretty good red miso this time (Westbrae's Organic Mellow Miso, red). I preferred the white. A note about miso: it contains living probiotics. If you boil it as the recipe directs, you're killing all that goodness. Save it for the end, then add a tablespoon to your empty bowl, then stir in the slightly cooled soup.
Naomi
Do not COOK the miso. If you do, you destroy ALL the enzymes and diminish the flavor. Miso should be added at the end of all cooking, after stovetop cooking is finished. Easiest is to pour off some liquid, add the miso to that and cream / dissolve, returning the mixture back to the saucepan and proceeding.
Tessa
Perhaps because not everyone eats meat and a vegetarian alternative is nice to have?
Mary S.
I have not had onion soup in years since I have never been able to find a good vegetarian version - but this one is fantastic! The only thing I would change is to consider doubling the recipe - it is hard to stop at one bowl. And, if you want to make it vegan, there are many wonderful vegan cheeses to substitute for the swiss
Naomi
The only issue with miso as it is used in this recipe is the cooking. Miso should not be cooked since that destroys the enzymes - the beneficial aspect and what makes miso so special. Might be better to hold some liquid off, add and blend the miso to that and combine after everything has cooked. I realize it's difficult to add once the crouton is in place but it could be done carefully.
jennifer smaldone
I've used miso in other soup recipes and the recipes usually suggest using white miso for it's milder flavor. Most recently I used it in chicken soup with baby bok choy and the flavor was sublime!
daniel shulman
I came to this onion soup after a disaster with another recipe. I doubled it and all was well. This one works, and I highly recommend it.
Libby
Terrific recipe, fills the french onion soup-sized hole in my heart that's been there since I stopped eating meat. I deglaze the onions with red wine before adding the water and miso, makes for a richer flavor.
Lneedle
Rather than using miso, I've gotten a more authentic, classic taste using Bragg's Liquid Aminos, which is an un-fermented soy sauce made of just soybeans and water (though it's plenty salty).
Naomi
Because some of us are vegetarian? I know, crazy.
John
They're leaving it up to you because you could do it either way--red for a fuller flavor, and white for mild. It would probably be good either way--miso is not very strong tasting, especially diluted with this much water, and all those onions and cheese!
Fred Rickson
I make French onion soup often, and I just wish I could convince folks to get some real, aged Swiss Gruyere cheese. It is not French Comte, and above all, it is not supermarket Swiss. Maybe it’s because my caramelized onions take 90 minutes or so, but the cheese really is important.
MrBillow
Made a trial single bowl--excellent! Might have to put in my regular rotation. Used a parmigiano cause it was what I had around.
Nick
This is my go-to recipe when entertaining people. With a good salad as an appetizer, this can easily be turned into a full meal. A couple notes: (1) I usually cook the croutons a little longer than noted. About 5 minutes on each side. (2) I use two slices of cheese per bowl of soup. (3) Stir in the miso before adding the onions! (4) I use a bit more thyme than noted.
Meg Scofield
Rub bread slices w garlicCook longer, about 5 mins on each sideCarmelize onions in 2 quart pan, then deglaze onions w wine before adding stock
Susan
Where have you found soup bowls which can be broiled (vs going in the oven)? I have searched to no avail
Coco
Denby!
LJ
I've made this soup several times and I love the recipe ! I I like to simmer it a bit longer and usually use more onions and miso. I also use vegetable stock instead of water for a richer taste.
Andrew
Love the miso addition, a bit too salty.
Aviva
This is not a traditional French onion soup; if you are looking for that, look elsewhere. However, it is delicious and a great use of miso paste. I will definitely make this again!
jackie
Of course it's not; French Onion Soup is NOT vegetarian.
Nick
This is my go-to recipe when entertaining people. With a good salad as an appetizer, this can easily be turned into a full meal. A couple notes: (1) I usually cook the croutons a little longer than noted. About 5 minutes on each side. (2) I use two slices of cheese per bowl of soup. (3) Stir in the miso before adding the onions! (4) I use a bit more thyme than noted.
Hungryman
This dish receives conditional hungryman approval. While it IS extremely delicious, the phrase "simmer and salt and pepper as needed" makes an important step sound like a flourish. In my kitchen, it took a significant amount of simmering (~30 min) before the mixture reduced to a concentrated, delicious soup. Also, the crouton making process is implied rather than explained.These two issues could make this recipe confusing for the average hungryman. Barring those, it is a hungryman homerun.
lisa
Because I am lazy, I made this as a one-ish pot meal by caramelizing the onions, removing them, and deglazing the pot with a little sherry. I’ve made it the other way, too, but I think that this ups the umami.
hannah
Added a tablespoon of bouillon and rosemary instead of thyme. Used four cups water and a little extra miso. So good!
Nancy
This is excellent. I mostly followed the directions. I cut the oil for carmelizing the onions in half (i.e., 2 Tbsp rather than 1/4 cup.) It took a good 90 minutes for good carmelization, worth the time, and you don’t need to stir constantly. 5-10 minutes between stirrings works.Toast baguette slices without oil to reduce fat. The extra oil is not necessary. It took 4 cups of water to finish, not 3. And yes, don’t boil the miso. Made about 6 9-oz servings of the soup. Perfect. A favorite.
Ruth
Delicious! I used less miso, added mushrooms, a teaspoon of soy sauce, and a teaspoon bouillon.
Lacey
Tastes nothing like French Onion Soup but was still very good. I used powdered miso and the flavor of the miso still ended up being too strong. To temper the flavor I followed other users suggestions and added a generous amount of red wine to round out the soup and get more of the beef-y flavor.
Fred Rickson
I make French onion soup often, and I just wish I could convince folks to get some real, aged Swiss Gruyere cheese. It is not French Comte, and above all, it is not supermarket Swiss. Maybe it’s because my caramelized onions take 90 minutes or so, but the cheese really is important.
Traci
Everyone loved this dish but it was a bit salty. I will add more water next time. I also switched swiss for gruyere because I can't resist bubbly brown gruyere.
Libby
Terrific recipe, fills the french onion soup-sized hole in my heart that's been there since I stopped eating meat. I deglaze the onions with red wine before adding the water and miso, makes for a richer flavor.
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