Famous-Barr's French Onion Soup
One of St. Louis's favorite soup recipes was recently printed in the Post-Dispatch.
When I was a graduate student in St. Louis and we were young and broke, my Wife and I
would visit this upscale department store called " Famous-Barr " just to eat at
the store's restaurant for this famous soup.
Famous-Barr's French Onion Soup
5 pounds unpeeled onions
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons paprika
1 bay leaf
7 (about 16-ounce) cans beef broth, divided (recommended Swanson's) 1
cup dry white wine, optional
3/4 cup all-purpose or instant flour (such as Wondra)
Caramel coloring or Kitchen Bouquet, optional
2 teaspoons salt, or french baguettes, optional
Swiss or Gruyere cheese, optional
Peel onions and slice 1/8 inch thick, preferably in a food processor.
Melt butter in a 6-quart (or larger) stockpot. Add onions; cook, uncovered, over low
heat for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. (The long cooking time makes the onions
mellow and sweet.)
Stir in pepper, paprika and bay leaf; saute over low heat 10 minutes more, stirring
frequently.
Pour in 6 cans broth and wine. Increase heat and bring to a boil. Dissolve
flour in remaining 1 can broth. Stir into boiling soup. Reduce heat and simmer
slowly for 2 hours.
Adjust color to a rich brown with caramel coloring, season with salt. Refrigerate
overnight.
To serve, heat soup in microwave or on stove top. If desired, pour into ovenproof
crocks or bowls. Top with a slice of breat and a sprinkling of grated cheese.
Heat under the broiler until cheese melts and bubbles, about 5 minutes.
Leftover soup can be frozen.
Yield: 4 quarts; 16 servings.
From: nartker@aol.com
To: WB or CM Hilbrich <hilbrich@magellan.cloudnet.com>
Subject: Re: French Onion Soup from St. Louis, MO
FYI, I had the priveledge of working with Chef Buell Day, who was the Chef that
developed your recently posted recipe.
He is a great man, fine Chef and teacher.
Nartker @ AOL.com
72262,1502 @ Compuserve.com
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=============================================================================
Bill Hilbrich St. Cloud,
Minnesota hilbrich@cloudnet.com
" It's A Magical World, Hobbes, Ol' Buddy... ...Let's Go Exploring !
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Calvin's Last Words 12/31/95
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