Vegan French Onion Stew
For a striking presentation, finishing the cheese toasts directly in the soup pot is an impressive choice. However, if you plan on meal prepping, it's advisable to use a sheet tray instead. This way, you can avoid ending up with soggy pieces of bread in your leftover soup, ensuring a better texture and experience when you reheat and enjoy it later.
Ingredients
- 5 c. water, divided
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 4 small red onions, thinly sliced
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 c. dry red wine
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 c. brown lentils
- 1/2 baguette, sliced
- Sliced vegan cheese, such as provolone or Gruyère
- Chopped fresh parsley, for serving
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions, season with salt and pepper and toss to coat in the oil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are golden brown and very tender, 30 to 35 minutes, adding a splash of water if onions start to stick to the bottom of the skillet. Stir in 1 cup water and transfer onions and liquid to a Dutch oven or other large oven-safe pot.
- Add wine, thyme, garlic, and bay leaves to the pot. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Add remaining 4 cups water and lentils and bring up to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, skimming foam from surface and stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender, 30 to 35 minutes.
- When lentils are tender, remove pot from heat and preheat the broiler to high. Top soup with baguette slices, then top baguette with cheese. Place pot in oven and broil until cheese is melty, 2 to 5 minutes depending on your broiler and cheese. Top with parsley before serving.
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