A hearty winter favorite of our family on the Last Frontier, the basis of this recipe is credited to my Mom, though we’ve improved it over the years by adding Minnesota wild rice and seared venison, moose or caribou meat cut in strips. If you want a more classic French onion soup experience, or if you’re opposed to meat for some unGodly reason, simply skip our improvements!  Either way, we top this soup with toasted baguette chunks and gruyere cheese for a melty, heavenly experience on the palate.

Ingredients:

3 Large Sweet Onions, sliced
1/4 Cup Extra Light Olive Oil
1/2 Cup Butter
2 Tbsp Sugar for carmelizing
3-4 Quarts Beef Broth or Bouillon
Fresh Ground Black Pepper to Taste
Seasoning Salt to Taste
1/2 Bottle Red Wine (drink the other 1/2 while you cook!)
Toasted Baguette slices or chunks
Shredded or Thinly Slice Gruyere Cheese

Preparation:

Step#1:  Saute the sliced onions in the extra light olive oil and butter somewhat aggressively on high heat till lightly golden brown, seasoning with fresh ground black pepper and seasoning salt.

Step#2:  Add 2 Tbsp sugar to caramelize the onions, stirring constantly.

Step#3:  Add the 1/2 bottle of red wine and simmer while you sip the rest.

Step#4:  Stir in the 3-4 quarts of beef broth, heat to simmer before transfer to a crockpot on low if you like, or leave on stove on lowest setting.

Step#5:  Par boil 1/4 cup of Minnesota wild rice in 2 cups of water until water is nearly consumed and rice is puffed a bit. Add to soup.

Step#6:  Saute, sear or grill your choice of game meat – Venison, Moose, Caribou or other – season as you like, slice in thin bite-sized strips, and add to soup. That’s your protein!

Step#7:  After soup has simmered for hours or a day or longer, ladel into bowls, top with toasted baguette and sprinkle with shredded gruyere cheese. Place on a baking sheet in an oven or toaster oven and broil the top until it’s melted and bubbly brown.

I’m hungry now…how bout you?! January 26, 2016

P.S. Photo above is side by side with our family favorite Holiday Meatballs.