An Indulgent Vegan Delight
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons non-dairy butter divided (i like earth balance)
- 1 1/2 pounds onions (about 5 cups), halved, thinly sliced
- 4 fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 1/2 pounds portobello mushroom stemmed, caps halved and cut into 1/4 inch strips
- 3 tablespoons cognac or brandy (optional)
- 8 cups veggie broth
- 18 1inch thick slices french baquette toasted
- 8 ounces vegan mozzarella cheese (i like follow your heart), at room temperature
- Carbohydrate 5.28992503415034 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fat 0.0438181209411334 g
- Fiber 0.334151006412267 g
- Protein 0.222455685977645 g
- Saturated Fat 0.0114305729044698 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (334g)
- Sodium 1254.34239469593 mg
- Sugar 4.95577402773808 g
- Trans Fat 0.0152357574789762 g
- Calories 44 calories
Step-by-step
- Melt 1 tablespoon butter in heavy large pot over high heat. Add onions and thyme; saute until onions begin to soften. Reduce heat to low; cook until onions are caramelized, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Transfer onion mixture to medium bowl.
- Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in same pot over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms; saute until soft, about 12 minutes. Add cognac or brandy and garlic; stir 20 seconds. Stir in onion mixture, then veggie broth and wine. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer until onions are very tender, about 45 minutes. Discard thyme sprigs, season with salt and pepper.
- Preheat broiler. Place baquette slices on large baking sheet. Spread with soy cheese and broil until brown spots begin to appear on cheese, watching carefully so they don't burn.
- Serve soup, floating croutons on top of each bowl.
The Onion Transformation
Reducing heat from high to low after the initial high-heat sear prevents scorching while natural sugars convert. Onions require approximately 20 minutes of steady stirring to develop deep color without bitterness. Patience here dictates whether the final broth achieves proper body or tastes thin.Mushroom Moisture Management
Medium-high heat drives out excess water from the 1 1/2 pounds of sliced portobellos before they can steam. Sautéing them for 12 minutes concentrates their savory compounds. Adding cognac or brandy immediately deglazes the pot, lifting the browned bits left behind by the fungi.Broiler Watchfulness
Melting vegan cheese over toasted French baguette under a broiler demands constant supervision. Plant-based cheeses lack the traditional dairy fat ratios that govern standard melting points. Watch for brown spots to emerge quickly to prevent total burning within seconds. Flavors actually deepen after refrigeration, making second-day portions exceptionally rich when reheated gently on the stovetop.
