Savory French Onion Soup With Fresh French Bread

When I think of bread and soup together, my first thought is French Onion Soup! It has a rich savory, oniony, beefy broth that is topped with croutons made from fresh French bread. Then it is topped with freshly shredded Swiss cheese that is melted. In this Instructable I will show you how to make my recipe for a small, single loaf of crispy French bread. Then I will show how to make my tasty soup. It is hearty enough that I enjoy making a meal of this soup by itself. With the use of my electric pressure cooker, the soup comes together very easily. If you don't pressure cook, just cook the soup in a large covered pot for about 45 minutes. Follow along with my instructions first for the bread and then for the soup.

Step 1: French Bread Ingredients

6 ounces water

1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast

2 1/4 cups bread flour

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 tablespoon honey

1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

Step 2: Supplies Needed

1 cup measure

candy thermometer

sharp knife

tablespoon measure

teaspoon measure

cutting board

shredder

silicone bowl or baking sheet

spoon

rubber scraper

stand mixer with dough hook

ladle

electric pressure cooker

toaster oven

Step 3: Heat the Water

Place the water in a glass measuring cup in a microwave oven. Microwave on high power for 35 seconds. Using a candy thermometer, check the temperature of the water. Continue to microwave until the water temperature reaches 110 degrees F.

Step 4: Add Yeast

Stir the yeast into the warm water. Set aside for 10 minutes until the yeast is activated.

Step 5: The Bread Ingredients

Add the flour, salt, honey, 1/2 tablespoon olive oil, and yeast-water mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer. Stir to blend.

Step 6: Mix It

Using a dough hook, mix on medium speed for 10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.

Step 7: Ready to Rise

Remove the dough and place in a silicone bowl or on a baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rise in a warm place for 1 1/2 hours until the dough is doubled in size. My warm place is in my oven.

Step 8: Knead Again

Remove the plastic wrap. Sprinkle a little flour on the dough. Knead it 4-5 times to expel excess gas and redistribute the yeast.

Step 9: Cover It

Cover with a dish towel and let rest for 15 minutes.

Step 10: Shape It

Shape the dough into a rectangle roughly 6 inches long to form a small baguette. Seal the ends by pinching. Cover with a dish towel and allow to rise for one hour.

Step 11: Now Preheat

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. (200 degrees C).

Step 12: Get Ready to Bake

Using the tip of a sharp knife, make 1 large slash across the top of the bread. Brush with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown.

Step 13: Let It Cool

Remove bread from the oven. Allow it to cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

Step 14: Cube the Bread

Cut enough of the French bread into 1-inch cubes to make 4 cups. Place cubes on a baking tray.

Step 15: Toast It

Place the tray with the bread in a toaster oven. Toast, stirring occasionally, until bread cubes are very crispy. Set aside.

Step 16: French Onion Soup Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter

2 large sweet onions

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 (32-ounce) carton beef broth

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese

Step 17: Let's Preheat

On the electric pressure cooker, select the sear/saute function and set the temperature to medium-high. Preheat for 5 minutes.

Step 18: Prepare the Onions

Meanwhile, cut off the ends of the onions and peel.

Cut into 1/4-inch slices.

Step 19: Melt the Butter

Add the butter to the hot pot of the pressure cooker.

Step 20: Cook the Onions

Add onions to the pot. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 21: Add to the Onions

Add tomato paste, soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce to the onions in the pot. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 22: Add Broth

Add the beef broth, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.

Step 23: Under Pressure

Add the pressure lid to the pot. Select high pressure and set the time for 15 minutes.

When cooking is completed, quick release the pressure and then remove the lid.

Step 24: Shred the Cheese

In the meantime, if you are shredding a block of Swiss cheese, that can be done while the soup is cooking. Measure 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese. You may use packaged shredded cheese, if desired.

Step 25: Top It!

Arrange the French bread cubes over the surface of the soup.

Step 26: Add the Cheese

Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the bread cubes.

Close the crisping lid. Set to broil and time 8 minutes.

Step 27: It's Ready!

Open the lid and you will find your beautiful soup with the melty Swiss cheese over the top!

Step 28: Ready to Serve

Ladle the soup into soup mugs or bowls.

Step 29: Enjoy It!

Serve the soup with the remaining slices of your fresh French bread.

I hope you enjoyed this Instructable as much as I enjoyed making it! My husband loves this soup and I will be making it again and again. Let me know if you give this recipe a try. It is comforting and oh so tasty!!!!