Meals for Under £10: French Onion Soup

WE have chosen a classic for this week’s recipe.

French onion soup is warming and tasty.

Served with crusty bread and toasted cheese, it’s a meal in itself.

Like most soups, if you make it the day before you plan to eat it, it will give the flavours time to develop.

We can’t guarantee you’ll be able to resist that long, of course!

Thanks to John Quigley, chef and proprietor of Glasgow’s Red Onion restaurant.

You’ll need:

1 tbsp veg oil

40g butter

800g Spanish onions, peeled and chopped

2 tbsp flour

1.75 litres good beef stock

1 glass of red wine

Baguette to toast

Some Gruyère, Emmenthal or Cheddar cheese to grill

Method:

Heat vegetable oil and butter in large, heavy-bottomed soup pot.

Add onions and cook low and slow for 20-25 minutes till onions are silky smooth and golden brown.

Stir in flour, cook for 3 or 4 minutes, then pour in 1.75 litres of boiling beef stock and a glass of wine. Partially cover with a lid and leave to simmer for a good 45 minutes.

Slice baguette and top with cheese, place under hot grill till melted but not browned.

Divide soup between bowls and top with toasted cheese.