Vegan(and Vegetarian) French Onion Soup in a Home made Bread Bowl


I was always fascinated by the soups and stews served in the adorable bread bowls.Looks challenging but If you can bake a bread then these are unbelivebly simple to make.Vegan French onion soup is the simplest soup to serve in these bowls.It so happened I had to empty the pantry of onions and flour the day before moving to Columbus,the soup in bread bowl seemed perfect to use them up.With no cheese in the fridge and no time for shopping for any, I made it all vegan,Mr.health nut couldn't be more happy(he is always grateful to skip cheese).


Recipe :Vegan French Onion Soup
Adapted from Suite101.com.The original recipe uses tahini and miso(soy paste) as a substitute for cheese.Again I didn't have those in stock and are missing in my recipe.
Ingredients
2 large or 4 medium onions,finely chopped
4 cups of vegetable stock\broth
2 cloves garlic,minced
1/2 teaspoon black pepper,freshly ground
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon cornstarch or all purpose flour
Method
Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and saute until lightly brown.add the garlic and saute another minute or two.Cover and cook for 25-30 minutes on medium-low heat until onions are tender,stir occasionally.Add the sauce ,pepper and vegetable broth,bring to a slow boil.
Mix the cornstarch in tablespoon of water and add to the boiling onion mixture,keep stirring to prevent lumps.simmer for about 3-4 minutes.Serve in soup bowls with crusty bread or make you own bread bowl as follows.

Vegetarian Variation :
Sprinkle some Swiss cheese or Gruyere over the soup bowls and melt under the broiler for 2-3 minutes and serve.

Recipe : Bread Bowl
One can skip the Bake again part, I baked the second time for a more crusty texture to the bowls.Method adapted from ehow.
Makes 2 medium bread bowls
Ingredients
1 cup 100% whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 pack(1 1/2 teaspoon) active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 cup warm water,little more if needed

Method
Prepare the dough
Dissolve the yeast in warm water, stir in the sugar and allow the yeast to get frothy, about 10 minutes.In a large bowl combine the flours, salt and oil. Add the yeast mixture and knead until well combined and smooth.Apply some more oil on the sides of the bowl cover and allow to rise until double it size about 2-3 hours.
Bake
Preheat oven to 400F.
Punch down the air from the dough.Knead for a minute.Then divide the dough in to 2 equal portions.Shape in to a round shape about 5 centimeters in diameter and place on a greased baking sheet,cover with a kitchen towel and proof for another hour by allowing to rise one last time before baking.
Vegans can skip this
brush the dough with a table spoon of egg wash(mixture of egg and water) evenly all over.

Place in the middle rack of the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden brown and sounds hallow when tapped.Cool for at least 15-20 before slicing off the top of each of the bread roll with a serrated knife.


Bake again

After cutting off the top,scoop out the some of the insides of the bread,carefully not to remove too much or the bread bowl might leak.These can be used as a dip in the soup.
Bake again at 350F for 5-6 minutes until the bread bowl is slightly toasted.Now transfer them on to serving plate.Ladle the warm onion soup until 3/4th full,garnish with herbs or if topping with cheese melt under the broiler for 3-4 minutes and serve.


The pictures were taken in a jiffy with all the moving chaos at home,almost thought of skipping the photo session and get straight to eating them.But since this is so apt for The Click Click - Allium,glad I could spare few minutes.
My first attempt at bread bowls these are also my entry for BBD #23:Something you have never made before and Susan's Yeast Spotting,hosted this week by Macheesmo.

Comments

Mythreyi Dilip said…
Very nice and delicious recipe dear, bread bowl is awesome. Great idea!
Mamatkamal said…
When I was in Montreal 2 years ago, I ate one of those french soups served in a bread bowl, it was awesome.
Thanks for the recipe, I'd love to give it a try one day. Have a nice day.
CurryLeaf said…
AWESOME DEAR.Love the bowl.I used to be in awe of the bowl as well.Love the vegan soup.I too had bookmarked the same recipe but was not sure whether it will be good or not.Now that I have seen yours,I think I should go ahead.Perfect entry Yasmeen.
Faith said…
French onion soup is probably my favorite kind of soup! At restaurants I always look for it on the menu. Yours looks so thick and delicious, I will definitely be making it...thanks for the great recipe!
sangeeta said…
never tried any soup in a bread bowl...have to try now.........all your recipes are anyway worth trying...the pics are very good, though simple but it is simpler things which seem to be more adaptable...
Dori said…
Those are lovely! I've never thought to make bread bowls at home.
Gita Jaishankar said…
Wow I love soups in the bread bowl...I used to order french onion soup in bread bowls when we go out...thanks for this healthy version Yasmeen. Adding soy sauce is new to me...I have to try your vegan version soon..looks very comforting :)
Faiza Ali said…
Love the bread bowl,looks cool. I have an award for you on my blog, dear. Kindly accept it..
Bergamot said…
The bread bowl looks really great so does the soup.
Recipeswap said…
love those bread bowls.excellent.
The bread bowl looks very nice. First time seeing soup being served in a bread bowl. Looks very nice. Hope to try it sometimes.

Please participate in A.W.E.D German going on in my blog.
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Sanghi said…
Wow.. lovely idea and a great soup treat yasmeen!
Nithya said…
Amazing idea. You really rock. this looks really cute and nice. very creative one. Hats off to you.
Rahin said…
Yasmeeeeen....great...I love the french onion soup esp in the bread bowl...but dont find many halal options...never thought of making it at home until now:) Thanks for sharing the recipe , the bread bowls look amazing n so does the soup
Anonymous said…
Great soup recipe with onion Yasmeen..and the presentation in a bread bowl makes it much more a delight...great pictures and presenation as usual..hugs
Lena Jayadev said…
this is awesome Yasmeen...this is a superb idea dear...as usual snap and presentation is superb.. :)
Priya Suresh said…
Omg, thats a delicious definitely a healthy onion soup Yas..just love ur bread bowl...
Unknown said…
very cute bread bowl..good one yasmeen..
Parita said…
Wow thats so creative yasmeen, bread bowl looks so good!
Pari Vasisht said…
beautul concept of serving the soup.very inspiring indeed.
Anonymous said…
I love your serving the yummy french onion soup in a bread bowl - delicious!
Hari Chandana P said…
Wow... awesome... looks soo delicious.. wonderful presentation.. :)
Shaista Tabrez said…
wow..click is so tempting, I m drooling...
Wonderful pics Yasmeen. One of the best I've seen these past few days.Would love to try this out.Love the bread bowls too.
Sasha said…
I'm speechless...the bowls look so adorable.
sangeeta said…
yes yasmeen ..it's double ka meetha as it is called in hyderabad...actually my hubby loves to have this rather than the famous biryani whenever he visits hyderabad....
that's why you call him Mr. healthnut...no!!

and this soup can be called double ka soup..he he..i am drooling again...have to make it soon..
Arabic Bites said…
The bread bowl look really yummy! never try to make bread bowl before so I'll have to try them with soup this Ramadan.

zainab
Chef Jeena said…
Wonderful Yasmeen you did fantastic cooking this - brilliant! Could I have a bowl please? :-)
Fantastic, especially with that homemade bread! A comforting dish!

Cheers,

Rosa
Oh this looks yumm-you've become quite a chef!!
Varsha Vipins said…
They look super yum Yasmeen..I just loved that thick brown soup in bread..I need tons of motivation to bake,make soup n arrange such,else I would have done it looong back,cos am so much fascinated by this whole idea..always have this chowder in bread bowl when I go for sea food..You are fab..:)
hugs
Amy said…
Gorgeous presentation! It looks delicious!
Anu said…
Very nice and delicious recipe dear...
Nice presentation.
Olga said…
Great presentation, Yasmeen! Soup in a bread bowl, who could have thought?!
I wonder how closely does this vegan onion soup resemble the standard version in taste?
Oh well, I guess I will have to try to make it!
Indian Khana said…
Wow...delicious...simple and best...I feel like eating these
Sunshinemom said…
How nice:).. to finish your soup and eat the bowl too!! Very nice recipe:)
Lori said…
I love getting soup in a bread bowl. This is a great variation for French Onion, one of my husbands favorites. I'll definitely have to give it a try. I haven't made it in forever.
Mimi said…
I love the presentation of your soup. The pictures are lovely!
Kerstin said…
I'm so impressed you made your own bread bowls! Such a cute way to serve soup (which also looks amazing - French Onion is one of my favorites!).
Mints! said…
looks lovely Yasmin! I have to try this :)
Heather said…
Those bread bowls look so cute!
mona said…
Oh my! those look soo cute. Inshallah I will try this sometime. Bookmarked!
Shabs.. said…
Hi yasmeen,
I just loved this dish and the bowl....Wanted to make onion soup for long. And when i will make it i will make the way u did it!Thx for the recipe sweety.Bookm arked it.
One more thing, I have posted a recipe in my blog now and linked it for the fasting to feasting event. Hope i did it the right way. Do I need to do anything else?.Please check it out and let me know..
Salaam...
test it comm said…
I really like a nice onion soup and those bread bowls are a great idea!
sara said…
Very cool, I love the bread bowls. I am planning to make some french onion soup soon when the weather cools down a bit. I will remember your bowls :) Thanks for joining us for this month's BBD!
Anonymous said…
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Anonymous said…
It is very interesting for me to read the blog. Thanks for it. I like such themes and anything that is connected to them. I definitely want to read more soon.
OH WOW! Finally! I have been looking for this recipe for so long!

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