French Onion Sandwich |Cooking With Amanda

I remember the very first time I tried French onion soup. I was about 5 years old, it was snowing hard outside, and my older sisters decided to make soup. For some reason, they decided upon a French onion soup. I remember the smell; it was warm and earthy with the notes of beef broth. The smell was inviting to say the least, which was why I was so eager to get a bowlful.

My 5-year-old self was so disappointed when I got my bowl. The cheese was too bitter (I was not a fan of Swiss cheese) and the onions were thin and slimy. The only thing I liked about the soup was the bread. I pushed my bowl away and left the room. It was years before I tried another bowl of French onion soup.

Today, I can see just how beautiful a bowl of French onion soup really is. The salty beef broth is perfect for those sweet caramelized onions. The crusty bread is a must as it soaks up all that delicious broth. The hot and bubbly Gruyere cheese is creamy, nutty and melts right into the broth so that each bite hits you with different flavors and textures. French onion soup is just dreamy.

That exquisite soup and my love for caramelized onions are the inspiration behind this sandwich. I cooked down two small onions until they were soft and caramel in color. Then I added just a touch of beef base and a little water so that the onions would take on the flavor of my beloved soup.

I placed these onions between two halves of crusty bread and added slices of white cheddar cheese. I know Gruyere is more traditional, but that's not always easy to find. Swiss cheese would work well too. I like the white cheddar, the sharp flavor seems to pair well with the beef flavoring in the onions, plus it melts nicely too!

Think of this recipe as a guideline. Just as you can swap out the cheese, the bread can be changed up as well. I used country style bread that I found in the bakery section of my grocery store. Use what you have access to, as long as it's on the firm side.

This sandwich is the hand-held version of my favorite soup! It has everything I love about French onion soup, but it's something you can really sink your teeth into!

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French Onion Sandwich Recipe

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Ingredients

1 teaspoon olive oil
2 small onions, sliced into rings
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon beef base
1/2 cup water
2 teaspoons butter
1 loaf rustic bread, small, or 4 slices of your favorite thick bread
2 slices white cheddar cheese

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and reduce heat to medium.
Cook onions for 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently. Continue to cook onions until they begin to soften and turn golden in color.
Reduce heat to low and stir in pepper, beef base and water; stir.
Cook just until liquid has absorbed and onions begin to thicken. Remove from heat.
Heat a grill pan over medium high heat. Butter one side of each bread.
Place two slices of bread, buttered side down on hot grill pan.
Divide onion mixture between both slices of bread, top with cheese and remaining slice of bread; buttered side up.
Grill sandwiches for 2-4 minutes per side or until outside is golden and cheese has melted. Serve.