Session 122 — French Onion Soup
← Block 25–26: French Classics Overview
Skill: Low-and-slow caramelized onion technique; proper gratinée finish
Read first: French Onion Soup — RecipeTin Eats
SE reference: French Onion Soup — SE
What you're learning: Real caramelized onions take 45–60 minutes. Not 10, not 20. Any recipe that says "caramelize in 10 minutes" is lying. Today is a patience lesson: low-medium heat, stirring every 5 minutes, watching sugar develop — and then building the soup around that deep onion sweetness.
Full Meal: - French Onion Soup, properly gratinéed with Gruyère and a crouton - Butter Lettuce Salad with Fresh Herbs and Dijon Vinaigrette
🎥 Compare Notes: This Video Will Change How You Think About Onions (Ethan Chlebowski) — The 45-minute caramelization time is the whole argument. Watch him document the color and smell at each interval — that's the evidence your patience is justified.