French Onion Soup: Panera's Cheesy Delight

Panera Bread's French onion soup is a popular menu item at the bakery-cafe chain. The soup is made with caramelized onions in a broth of sherry wine vinegar gastrique and chicken stock, with ground puréed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and soy sauce. It is topped with a combination of fontina and mozzarella cheeses and croutons. While the soup has received mixed reviews, with some criticising its presentation and texture, others consider it to be one of the best options for French onion soup at a restaurant chain.

Panera's French Onion Soup includes Fontina and Mozzarella cheese

Panera's French Onion Soup: A Classic Comfort Food

French onion soup is a classic comfort food, and Panera's version is no exception. This soup combines sweet and savoury flavours, with a base of caramelised onions, broth, and cheese. While the soup itself is delicious, the addition of cheese takes it to the next level, adding a layer of richness and depth to the dish.

The Cheesy Duo: Fontina and Mozzarella

Panera's French Onion Soup includes two types of cheese: Fontina and Mozzarella. Fontina cheese is known for its creamy texture and mild, nutty flavour, which complements the sweetness of the onions perfectly. Mozzarella, on the other hand, is a stretchy, stringy cheese that provides a fun, indulgent texture to the soup. When melted, it creates long, gooey strands that make the soup even more satisfying.

The choice of Fontina and Mozzarella in Panera's soup is a strategic one. Both cheeses have relatively mild flavours that enhance the soup without overwhelming it. Fontina, in particular, is known for its ability to melt smoothly, making it ideal for dishes like French onion soup. Mozzarella, with its stretchy texture, adds an element of indulgence and interactivity to the dish, as diners can pull and stretch the cheese with their spoons.

A Satisfying Experience

The combination of Fontina and Mozzarella in Panera's French Onion Soup creates a satisfying and indulgent dining experience. The cheeses melt together harmoniously, coating the onions and bread croutons in a blanket of savoury goodness. The result is a rich, flavourful soup that has earned its place as a longtime favourite on the Panera menu.

Customisation Options

While Fontina and Mozzarella are the standard cheeses in Panera's French Onion Soup, customers can also customise their orders. Some diners choose to add extra cheese on top, enhancing the cheesiness of the dish. Others may opt for different types of cheese, such as Gruyère or Emmentaler, which are commonly used in traditional French onion soup recipes. This flexibility allows customers to tailor the soup to their personal preferences, making it an even more enjoyable experience.

Gruyère and Asiago cheese are used in a copycat recipe for Panera's French Onion Soup

Gruyère and Asiago Cheese in Panera French Onion Soup

The Cheeses

Gruyère, a Swiss Alpine cheese, is commonly used in French Onion Soup. It has a mild, nutty flavour and a creamy texture, melting easily into the soup. Asiago cheese, an Italian cheese, is also used in the recipe, adding a touch of sharpness and a slightly grainy texture.

The Recipe

To make the copycat Panera French Onion Soup, you'll need the following ingredients:

• Butter
• Yellow onions
• All-purpose flour
• Beef stock
• Chicken stock
• Beef base
• Thyme
• Croutons
• Gruyère cheese
• Asiago cheese

Here's a step-by-step guide to making the soup:

• Melt butter in a large pot or Dutch oven.
• Add chopped onions and a sprinkle of salt. Sauté for about 20 minutes until the onions are golden brown.
• Add flour and stir to coat the onions. Sauté for another minute to cook the flour.
• Add beef stock, chicken stock, beef base, and thyme. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Serve immediately with croutons and shredded Gruyère and Asiago cheese on top.

Customisation

The beauty of this recipe is that it can be customised to your taste preferences. You can adjust the amount of flour to make the soup thicker or thinner, and you can play around with the type of stock used—vegetable, chicken, or beef—to change the flavour profile. If you're vegan or vegetarian, substitute the beef stock with vegetable stock and use vegan butter and cheese.

Tips and Tricks

• Chop the onions rather than slice them to ensure you get a bite of onion in every spoonful.
• When purchasing ingredients, opt for stock instead of broth as it has a more intense flavour.
• Make your own homemade croutons using a loaf of sourdough bread, butter, seasoned salt, and garlic powder.
• For a restaurant-style presentation, serve the soup in oven-safe bowls, top with croutons and cheese, and place under the oven's broiler until the cheese is golden brown.

French Onion Soup typically uses Gruyère or Emmentaler cheese

French Onion Soup is a beloved dish that has been a staple in France for centuries. The soup typically consists of caramelised onions, savory broth, and gooey melted cheese. While there are many variations of the recipe, the type of cheese used can make a significant difference in the overall taste and texture of the dish.

Gruyère cheese, also known as "Swiss cheese", is commonly used in French Onion Soup. It has a mild nutty flavour and a creamy texture, making it an ideal choice for this soup. Gruyère melts easily and complements the other ingredients well. In fact, many restaurants prefer using Gruyère cheese for their French Onion Soup. Panera Bread, a popular bakery-cafe chain, uses a combination of Gruyère and Asiago cheeses in their French Onion Soup. This combination adds a rich, savoury flavour to the dish.

Another popular cheese used in French Onion Soup is Emmentaler, which is also a Swiss Alpine cheese. It shares similar characteristics with Gruyère, such as a mild nutty flavour and a smooth, creamy texture. Emmentaler melts easily, making it perfect for soups and fondues. It is a versatile cheese that can be used in various dishes, adding a subtle sweetness and a touch of sophistication.

Both Gruyère and Emmentaler cheeses enhance the flavour of French Onion Soup, making it a comforting and indulgent experience. The choice between the two ultimately depends on personal preference, as both cheeses have their unique qualities while sharing similar characteristics. Some people even choose to use a mixture of these cheeses, creating a blend that suits their taste.

In France, a third option is often used—Comté cheese, a French Alpine cheese. This variety has the same melting properties and nutty flavour profile as Gruyère and Emmentaler, making it an excellent choice for French Onion Soup as well.

French Onion Soup is sometimes made with a combination of cheeses

French Onion Soup is a French staple that has gained popularity worldwide. The soup is typically made with caramelized onions in a savoury broth, topped with toasted bread and cheese. While the classic recipe calls for gruyere cheese, French Onion Soup is sometimes made with a combination of cheeses.

Panera Bread's Bistro French Onion Soup, for example, uses a blend of fontina and mozzarella cheeses. The soup has become a longtime favourite on their menu, with many home chefs attempting to recreate the recipe. Some recipes suggest using a combination of 2-3 cheeses, such as Fontina, Gruyere, Parmesan, and Cheddar, to elevate the dish.

Gruyere cheese, also known as "Swiss cheese", is commonly used in French Onion Soup and is often combined with other cheeses like Asiago to add a touch of extra flavour. The choice of cheese ultimately depends on personal preference, as any of the above-mentioned cheeses can be used alone or in combination to create a delicious, gooey topping for the soup.

In France, the cheese of choice for French Onion Soup is typically Comté cheese, a French Alpine cheese that melts easily and has a mild, nutty flavour with a creamy texture. This cheese pairs perfectly with the caramelized onions and savoury broth of the soup.

When making French Onion Soup, the type of cheese used is a matter of personal preference, and chefs can get creative by using a single variety or blending multiple cheeses to achieve the desired flavour and texture.

Panera's French Onion Soup is served with the cheese on the side

Panera's French Onion Soup is a popular menu item at the bakery-cafe chain. The soup is served with cheese and croutons on the side. While some customers have complained about the presentation of the soup, especially when ordered to-go, others have praised the taste, describing the broth as a "flawless balance of vinegary, garlicky, savory, and sweet flavors."

The soup is made with caramelized onions in a broth of sherry wine vinegar gastrique and chicken stock. It also includes ground pureed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and soy sauce. The cheese used in the soup is a combination of Fontina and mozzarella.

Some customers have noted that the cheese and croutons are sometimes placed directly into the soup, rather than being served on the side. This can cause the cheese to sink to the bottom of the bowl, especially if the soup is ordered to-go. However, the cheese and croutons can be added to the soup just before serving, either by the customer or by the restaurant staff.

Overall, while there may be some inconsistencies in the presentation of Panera's French Onion Soup, the taste and flavor of the soup seem to be well-liked by customers.

Frequently asked questions