Skillet French Onion Soup Appetizer
This unforgettable bread-dipping cheesy appetizer is the classic French Onion Soup --without the broth. For a 5-star presentation, and for your social bubble, make and serve this appetizer in a shared cast-iron skillet. The toasted cheese and garnish really make this dish a conversation starter, and your guests will be talking about it long after the holidays are over. Serve warm to intensify the favors and for the soft melty cheese.
Equipment
- Knife and cutting board
- 14-inch cast-iron skillet (or similar oven-safe skillet) (or eight 4oz ramekins)
- Breadbasket
Ingredients
- Bread for dipping (I like to use Crostini for the toasted crunch)
- 1 TBLS oil (high-heat oil)
- 3 onions (small diced, or thinly sliced)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 TBLS unsalted butter
- 1 TBLS dried all-purpose seasoning herb blend
- 1/4 cup demi-glaze (or use bullion)
- 1/4 cup Port (or use medium-body red wine)
- a splash Cognac (optional)
- 1/4 cup cream cheese
- 1 cup grated Gruyere cheese (or 1 cup grated Fontina, or 1 cup grated Swiss cheese)
Garnish:
- fresh thyme leaves
- sliced chives and/or scallions
- fresh-cracked black pepper
- smoked paprika
Instructions
- Turn oven to Broil - high.
- Add oil to a large skillet, on medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the onions and salt, stir well. Cook until the onions are well caramelized, about 15 mins, stir occasionally.
- Clear the center of the pan, and melt the butter, when hot, stir the all-purpose seasoning into the butter, let bloom, about 30 seconds.
- Add the demi-glaze and port to the butter and herbs, stir well, let cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the cream cheese and sour cream. Stir everything, well. Let cook until cheese is melted and heated through, about 1 min. Stir occasionally.
- Give it a taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Top with the Gruyere cheese, and then the garnish items.
- Put the skillet under the broiler for a minute or two until the cheese is melted and browned. Keep a close eye on it, because when the cheese starts to bubble it will brown quickly! Remove from oven.
- Top with more of the garnish items --if desired.
- Serve with the crostini and enjoy!
Notes
Adapted from Our Life Tastes Good, their recipe uses Lipton Onion Soup Mix.