Crock Pot French Onion Soup // Video

A recipe! Better yet, a slow cooker recipe! This is a soup that we make relatively frequently. You know, when we get sick of all the Pumpkin Chili and Miso Split Pea Soup. It’s really simple. Really satisfying. Really tasty. And picky kids will give it a try if you pretend the onions are noodles. I share this tip from my own experience -- it works!

Yum.

Would make a great Super Bowl dish, don’t you think? (And I'm not trying to be cute. I genuinely, positively have NO IDEA who is playing this year. Guess I should quickly figure out my team allegiance before the kickoff.)

Here’s a video, and there’s a brief recipe below with some notes on bread baking, etc.



BTW: I am going to do a whole review on my Aroma Rice Cooker (plus it's a steamer AND slow cooker -- all in one!). I love it. I LOVE IT.

CROCK POT FRENCH ONION SOUP

What you’ll need . . . 

• 3 large onions, cut into circles
• 1/4 cup Earth Balance or butter (or some oil)
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 cup Fre alcohol-removed champagne (or cooking wine, beer, etc.)
• 8 cups vegetable stock
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Method . . . 

1. Combine onions with Earth Balance, sugar, and balsamic vinegar. Cook on high for one hour, stirring occasionally.
2. Then add in the flour and garlic powder. Let soak in a few minutes.
3. Add in the champagne, stock, salt, and pepper. Then cook for 6 hours on low. More if you have the time. (Note: I cooked mine between 4 and 6 hours on my Aroma cooker’s slow cook setting, which I assume is high -- worked really well).

My soup recipe is mostly riffed off Tyler Florence's French Onion Soup. Just lazier and vegan (yeah -- the soup itself is vegan, so you can try to top it with vegan cheese if you like!). Then all you need to do is make yourself some easy French Bread (I used THIS recipe), cut into smallish pieces, and plop it into the bowl.


Top everything with Swiss or Gruyere cheese.

Broil until browned and bubbly.


Enjoy!

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Superbowl Sunday

I mean that title in the most literal way possible. I have used almost all our mixing bowls today. Thank goodness Stephen doesn't mind washing dishes, because I sure do. But seriously: What time does the game start? 6-ish, right?

I hope to finish my long run around then; I delayed it considerably to make all of this + more.

I'm planning to write yet another grocery budget related post this week. It will be about how we've been sticking to our $50 budget. Scratch that. $65 budget, which -- though it isn't our ideal dollar amount -- is pretty great considering Ada's eating us out of house and home these days.

OK. Every other day she is.
Then she won't eat anything.
Then everything again.
Then even less than before.

It's hard to keep up with fickle toddler habits.

Today I've sliced, baked, roasted, or mixed together a ton. Stove-Top Applesauce + Beautiful Sourdough Bread + Rosemary Salt Biscuits + Crock Pot Veggie Soup + Russet Potato Fries + Deep Dish Chocolate Chippers. And we'll be making some veggie burgers (probably these and these) in bulk later.

Lots of stuff to post about. But I definitely need a break now. Drink a nice, tall glass of water and try to get pumped to run in the chilly February air. It's not too bad, actually. I think it's around 25 degrees.

I finally know who's in the big game tonight. I'm cheering on the 49ers. Why? My third grade teacher Mrs. Hall was obsessed with them + taught us all how to multiply 7x7 by saying: "SEVEN TIMES SEVEN IS THE FOURTY-NINERS!" That was way back in the days of Joe Montana, by the way. 

Good enough reason for me!

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Superbowl Party Eats

The Superbowl should be an interesting event this weekend. We're not partying anywhere this year -- just hanging out with Ada in our living room. Stephen's a huge Giants fan, though, and I have absolutely no allegiances. However, according to Stephen I SHOULD cheer on the Giants since I live in NY state. I also SHOULD because it's his family's team. They get pretty heated about games throughout the season, I'm told.

For this reason, I'm rooting for the Patriots. It gets under his skin in this hilarious way. In reality, he and I both know I don't care much at all. I watch the ads, surf the internet, and drink lots of beer eat lots of bread and cheese. (This year I'll probably stick to one drink with the breastfeeding and all.)

Here are some of our best recipes to help you pig out on Sunday whether or not you enjoy football. Any excuse to eat gluttonous foods is a good one in my book.

TOFU WINGS

Fried tofu slathered in your favorite hot sauce. We used to order a huge plate at this great place on State St. in our college town, Ithaca, NY. When we learned to make our own Tofu Wings, it quickly became a party go-to.

VEGAN SLOPPY JOES


Super-filling and good-for-you, these Sloppy Joes are a general crowd pleaser for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. They are also quick to throw together if you're like us and find yourselves throwing dirty laundry into closets before guests arrive for the party.

BEER-CHEESE FONDUE


Melted cheese. Bread. The combination is irresistible. We don't just have one recipe for this favorite. Try take 1 and take 2 varieties. And get creative. Any beer-cheese mixture that sticks to the basic ratios should work out just fine.

THE LOVER


Would you think we're crazy if we told you we eat this sandwich -- THE LOVER -- weekly? When you break it down, the different components aren't that insane. Together -- watch out. Inspired by Man versus Food, you might find yourselves as hooked on this sammy as we are.

DEEP DISH VEGGIE PIZZA


In reality, any of our pizza or garlic knot recipes would be great for the weekend's festivities. Grilled pizza -- especially -- has always been a favorite at our parties. But this Deep Dish stands out because it's extra-filling. Customizable, too.


That's lots of food. I suppose, then, it's no wonder that I'm whining about my nonexistent weight-loss at 11 weeks postpartum on (never home)maker, baby! Oh, well. I'll do lots of squats with Ada during the half-time show.

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