French Onion Cider Soup: Take Care

Dec 18th, 2008 by Marilyn

When a person is down - in general, in trouble, or in mourning - friends often say things like “take care of yourself,” and by all means I agree, take care. But how? Some friends say this in summary, a tag line at the door. Wearing winter coats and tying on scarves, they hold you by the arms and look you in the eye. Take care of yourself. Some mean please don’t fall off the edge, others mean stop taking care of others, and the most well-meaning and practical wish you to actually take care of yourself. Physically. As in eat carrots, get sleep, drink more tea.

Good advice, and like most healthy ideas, easier said than done.   The unfortunate eating started before my father was even gone, first in a hospital at 3 am, where a meal of M & M’s does not seem like a bad thing. My mom had asked me to find her a Hershey bar - so I wandered noiseless halls for a vending machine, which I found, but without Hershey bars. I studied the candy through the glass - B6, C8, D4 - to decide what substitute would be best. Three Musketeers wasn’t right, Twix too fussy, and Snickers - a bit heavy before sunrise. M & M’s might last us all night, while we watched Dad sleep and snow fall through the dark, one chocolate bite at a time.

By the next evening people filled my mother’s living room, bearing crumb cake and cookies and eager, oversized pies. It was then that I made the ludicrous decision to eat no carbs in that house, no matter what chocolate, rye bread or Bundt cake was put on the counter. It is worth noting that I am generally one with the carbs, and most days I require lots of Saltines, and brown sugar, and oatmeal. But here I was sure that without structure, I’d mindlessly eat through the days and in a week, the fog would lift and I’d regret it. No, I would not comfort myself with the good stuff, and under that dazed plan I found I didn’t even mind the parade of cousins and friends plowing through said good stuff.   Annoyed at being shooed out of the kitchen - take care of yourself, don’t do anything! - I contented myself with a pile of breadless corned beef, salty black olives, and sliced cheese.

A few days later we were driving home, and just above the sadness I sensed a small triumph - I had not given in. No cookies, brownies or bread had passed my lips. Aha! Grief meant losing, but not losing control.   I stared at winter roads for hours, thinking I miss Dad already. But I will not have to buy new jeans.

Back home, I quickly succumbed to baguettes, then bagel chips, and then biscotti, all brought by friends - until eventually I found myself standing in the kitchen on the phone, nibbling idly at a friend’s turtle brownies while my mother recounted her meeting with the bank. You can make a pretty good dent in a 9 x 13 brownie pan when you’re on the phone, believe you me. This would not do.

I opened the fridge and realized it was empty. Kind friends had delivered all sorts of temptations, but it held no real supplies. A quick trip to the store felt good and routine; filling the shelves felt even better. By the time I was melting butter I knew the answer, and it had nothing to do with jeans.   Rules and sadness don’t mix, and being stuffed and served by well-meaning friends, no matter how well, is only part of what you need. In my kitchen, alone with a soft black dog and a blue pot of onions, I could think, and cry, and laugh and dab my eyes over soup. That is doing whatever you need to do, and taking very good care of oneself.

French Onion Cider Soup

2 small onions, thinly sliced
1 Golden Delicious apple - peeled, cored and diced fine
1-2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon flour
16 oz apple cider
1 quart (32 oz) chicken broth
1/2 cup white wine
salt & white pepper
nutmeg

crusty bread
sliced Gruyere (or other Swiss cheese)

In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-low heat and add the onions and diced apples. Stir briefly to combine, then cover to let ingredients steam, about 5-7 minutes, checking and stirring occasionally. Remove cover and stir mixture frequently, until onions are deep golden brown and apples soften completely, almost disappearing.

When mixture is a deep golden brown (bottom of pan will also have browning) turn heat to low, then add flour and 1/2 cup of the apple cider, stirring constantly to form a sticky, combined mixture.

Add chicken broth, white wine and remaining apple cider to the pot, deglazing browned pan and stirring onion-apple mixture into broth. When onions have broken up into the broth, partially cover soup and simmer on low for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown, slightly reduced and thickened. Season with salt, white pepper and nutmeg to taste.

To serve:

Preheat broiler. Place oven-safe soup bowls (2-4, depending on portion size) on a rimmed sheet pan.

Place thick chunks of crusty bread (toasted is even better) in bottom of oven-safe soup bowls. Ladle warm soup over bread to almost, but not quite, fill the bowl. Top with slices of Gruyere cheese, allowing a slight overhang. Slide pan with soup bowls under hot broiler to melt cheese. Watch carefully - cheese will frequently melt, brown and bubble in less than a minute. Remove carefully from oven, and serve.

Soup (minus bread and cheese) serves 2-4 and keeps, refrigerated, for several days.*

* this is a good soup to make ahead, as flavor only deepens the next day. Re-warm soup before assembling the bread and cheese bowls, then ladle and serve as directed.

Tags: bb, onions, recipes, soup

Posted in Chicagoland, Let's Cook, My So-Called Life, recipes

35 Responses to “French Onion Cider Soup: Take Care”

on 18 Dec 2008 at 6:23 am1modernemama

It’s what comfort food must be - warm and satisfying and familiar, and shared with your family.
on 18 Dec 2008 at 7:17 am2HoneyB

Terrific looking soup!
on 18 Dec 2008 at 7:48 am3Eddie Ross

omg that looks so de-lish!!!! love the little crocks with the handles!

Eddie
on 18 Dec 2008 at 7:56 am4wanderluster

I’m glad you’ve found a comforting and fulfilling way to ‘take care of yourself’.
on 18 Dec 2008 at 8:15 am5Okie Sister

Thank you for sharing and taking care of all of us too.
on 18 Dec 2008 at 9:36 am6FoodRenegade

Onion soup. Now that sounds lovely just about now. Thanks for being real with us.
on 18 Dec 2008 at 10:57 am7Marilyn

Jane (modernemama): ah, answering comments again! You’re absolutely right about comfort food. That’s what you need it to be.

HoneyB: welcome, and thanks. Enjoy it!

Eddie: I could never make onion soup without the brown crocks - and the flea market shelves are full of them!

wanderluster: that’s sweet, and thanks. We all find a way, eh?

Okie Sister: my pleasure! I’m here to feed.

FoodRenegade: welcome, and I agree - nothing better than onion soup on a cold day, butter, cheese and all!
on 18 Dec 2008 at 11:41 am8PVS

Should I admit that I’ve never had soup like that before? I may just have to try to make that over winter break while it’s too cold to go anywhere. It looks yummy! (I still think we should get a ’smell’ feature on here…..see the dish and smell it!) And yes, take care of yourself! (and eat some more comfort food. They call it that for a reason!)
on 18 Dec 2008 at 12:19 pm9Erin

Really lovely post. Beautifully written and topped off with decadent images of wholesome soup. Thank you!
on 18 Dec 2008 at 1:30 pm10jenni

The composition of this post was outstanding.
A++

And for a second…I really could smell the soup simmering.
on 18 Dec 2008 at 1:47 pm11Athenaeus

There’s something just so comforting about soup. It heals the body and soul one spoonful at a time. Next time I make onion soup I want to try your recipe with apples. I’ve used cider vinnegar and/or hard cider for years, but never the apples and apple cider.
on 18 Dec 2008 at 2:03 pm12Jayne

You did “take care of yourself” exactly right–finding a place of comfort, cooking up some familiar and satisfying food, and reflecting on your memories with your dad. I’ll have to try this recipe; the apples would give it a really good flavor, I think.

Oh, and everyone else commented on the food but only Eddie Ross noticed the little brown bowls. Hee hee. I adore him!
on 18 Dec 2008 at 2:48 pm13Micha .:. Scraping the Skillet

What a sweet and touchingly written post you have here! I clicked through from foodgawker because I’ve been dreaming about french onion soup. I’m so glad I came. I wish I could give you a big hug!
on 18 Dec 2008 at 5:37 pm14Teresa

When my mother died 11 years ago, we were overwhelmed with sweet treats everyone brought, but one neighbor made a turkey. A big, warm, brown, yummy turkey. I can still remember how our family of 8 sibs and 8 spouses devoured that turkey.

Do take care of yourself.
on 18 Dec 2008 at 6:43 pm15vuvu

what a beautiful post indeed. I also clicked through from foodgawker, not expecting to be moved like this. thank you for sharing, and i’m glad the soup worked some magic, soup always does!
on 18 Dec 2008 at 7:41 pm16Renovation Therapy

The soup looks gorgeous. Finding some comfort, looks even better.
on 18 Dec 2008 at 8:33 pm17Olga

This looks comforting and delicious! Interesting idea on adding apples.
on 18 Dec 2008 at 8:44 pm18Michelle

I know it must still be a struggle, but welcome back. The soup looks outstanding– I can smell and taste it from here. Deeeeeelicious!
on 18 Dec 2008 at 9:04 pm19Marilyn

PVS (Pam): now I know you and DVS are quite particular, but I believe you’ll like this soup. And thanks for the turtle brownies - worth every sticky bite.

Erin: thanks for the kind words. I’ve always believed in the wholesomeness of melted Gruyere.

Jenni: we’re still working on the smell-o-vision, but I’m glad the soup got to you, anyway.

Athenaeus: welcome, and agreed! Nothing heals like soup. Adding the cooked apple produces a slightly thicker broth and a tangy little “applesauce” bite. I love it and hope you will, too.

Jayne: I know. Yeah, yeah, soup - but oh, those brown bowls! Like you, Eddie’s a doll.

Micha: welcome. We already have something in common - dreams of French onion soup. And thanks for the hug.

Teresa: a big roast turkey sounds perfect! You can mindlessly eat that for days. Thanks for the good wishes.

vuvu: hello, and welcome. Glad you found something more than soup!

Jean (RT): comfort wherever we find it. Cupcakes, if necessary.

Olga: everyone needs a favorite comfort food. What’s yours?

Michelle: writing can be as good as soup, especially when you’re reading, Mate. Take care down there.
on 18 Dec 2008 at 11:02 pm20Rechelle

Glad you are back safely Marilyn. Missed your posts. Please more great soups - it is my favorite.
on 19 Dec 2008 at 3:22 am21noodle

Thank you for sharing your special story and delicious recipe. We all need comfort food sometimes…
on 19 Dec 2008 at 7:54 am22Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)

There are no rules for grieving. And apparently there are no rules for onion soup, which I’ve never made with apple — but what a great idea. I think the act of caramelizing onions, slowly, slowly, is enormously comforting.
on 19 Dec 2008 at 10:20 am23Fearless Kitchen

I’ve never seen onion soup with apple before, but I bet it matches perfectly.
on 19 Dec 2008 at 12:44 pm24amy h

My stress eating patterns completely shifted when my dad died. I went from upset-stomach-no-food-please to comfort eating. And it has been comfort eating ever since, eight years later. Strange.

I’ve never had onion soup — I don’t know how I’ve managed that. Yours looks good.
on 19 Dec 2008 at 1:00 pm25Sandie

There’s so much I wish I could say to ease someone’s grief when facing the loss of a parent, because even the simplest, sweetest of thoughts seem trite, as in “take care.” Not that they are trite, but suddenly words seem to lose their meaning or value, even though we understand and appreciate the sentiment behind them.

For what it’s worth, I began food blogging last fall, a few months after my own father died, as a way to cope with my grief. I desperately needed an outlet to turn all the sadness and upset I was feeling into something new and positive. It’s something that also allows me to feel like my father is a tangible, active part of my life, as I use his camera for all of my food shots. I know that might seem silly to some, but over the past year and a half, it’s helped me deal with my father’s passing.

I don’t why I wrote all that, other than to try and express that I can, to some degree, empathize with your grief. I’m sorry if my words have failed.

Also, and it does feel wrong to say, “Hey this recipe sounds good!” when I know you’re experiencing such loss, but this soup really does sound delicious. French onion soup is one of my favorites, and I would love to try the apple twist you put on it.
on 19 Dec 2008 at 2:54 pm26Marilyn

Rechelle: thanks, pal. Let’s have a cozy winter ladies’ lunch, soon. And more good soup, coming up.

Noodle: welcome, and thank you. What’s your comfort food of choice?

Lydia: amen to the no rules, indeed. You’re so right about caramelizing onions - I could inhale them and watch them brown all day.

Fearless Kitchen: hello! I think you’re right about the apple-onion flavors; this is a lighter-based, slightly sweeter version of traditional beef-broth onion soup, but absolutely addictive, especially the next day.

Amy H: so sorry about your Dad. Life changes in strange little ways, but I hope you’ve found comfort.

Sandie: your lovely blog is testament to your creative healing powers! Glad you found something productive to work through. Enjoy the soup, and yes, take care.
on 19 Dec 2008 at 3:20 pm27Robin

It looks very comforting. Good for you for doing just what you needed to do.
I hope I didn’t shoo you out of the kitchen, but I may have - sorry if I did!
And maybe getting back to blogging and your terrific, evocative photography, and the warm community you’ve created here, is also another kind of taking care of yourself?
on 20 Dec 2008 at 1:21 am28Global Patriot

Great flavor combination with the onions and apples, providing that splash of crisp acidity that balances with the savory, wish I had a bowl!
on 20 Dec 2008 at 9:39 am29brickgrrl

Marilyn, my heartfelt condolences. I arrived here through a very compassionate friend. Your wisdom- and obvious talent in communicating it- is a gift you give us all. Beautiful post, extraordinarily done. Cheers, dear.
on 21 Dec 2008 at 5:50 pm30natalie

what a yummy soup. and my grandmother has a set of mixing bowls that look just like those. when i saw them in your last post it brought many childhood memories of licking cake batter out of those bowls.
sending lots of thoughts and prayers your way, natalie.
on 21 Dec 2008 at 7:53 pm31Joyce

Hi-
This is my first visit to your blog and love it, AND this recipe!! As soon as I’m finish writing this note I’m off to post you on my favorites!!

My friend after reading this post and a couple before I’m sorry to hear about your dad- My heart goes out to you and your family. My dad was 84 yrs and passed away this past Sept 5th. My heart still aches of pain. It is funny how a lot of try to fill the void and ease the pain with food.

Thanks for sharing! xoxox
PS- if it wasn’t so cold here in the Chicagoland area I would run out for the ingredients for the soup now!
on 21 Dec 2008 at 10:25 pm32theresa/t does wool

comforting…the soup and the thoughts…
on 21 Dec 2008 at 11:09 pm33Rachel

I am so sorry to (belatedly) learn of your loss. I’m a newish reader, and as I’ve been ill, and caught up in the hectic bustle that is Advent around my home on top of that, well, I’ve not been here since very early this month.

Please, please, DO “take care of you and yours”–eat well, but not too much. Try and sleep. Drink the water. Love those nearest you..

My father is only a couple of years younger than yours, and I pray that I will have him with me for many more…but if not, I pray I can be as composed, and thought-full, as you seem here…

I don’t know you - but you have my deepest condolences, and, honestly, all the hugs in the world. (And my husband will thank you for the soup recipe–he LOVES this kind of soup. Maybe I can surprise him with it…).

Many prayers for you and yours…
on 22 Dec 2008 at 1:55 pm34Julia @ Hooked on Houses

French-onion soup with lots of cheese baked on top is one of my favorite meals in winter, but would I have ever thought of adding apples to it this way? No, I would not. Sounds amazing to me.

What a beautiful post. It got me all choked up. -J
on 22 Dec 2008 at 11:46 pm35Marilyn

Robin: thanks, dear. You only shooed me out a few times. You know where I belong.

Global Patriot: spoken like a wine reviewer! Hope you try out your own bowl soon.

brickgrrl: you are as welcome as your very kind words. Thank you.

Natalie: thanks. Isn’t it amazing how sensory all the bowls and spoons and dishes are?

Joyce: I know that Chicagoland freeze all too well. Time to make some soup!

Theresa: just like all your woolly, beautiful projects - full of comfort.

Rachel: welcome, and thanks for your good wishes.

Julia: “with lots of cheese” is key here - the apples are just a bonus!