Kreacher’s French Onion Soup | Harry Potter Inspired Recipes
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If you don’t know who Kreacher is and why he is so important to the Harry Potter universe, you probably need to go back and reread all of the Harry Potter books.
Go ahead, I’ll wait.
Be warned: there are mild *SPOILERS* for the Harry Potter series in this recipe.
Kreacher, the loyal house-elf, played a pivotal role in discovering the Horcrux locket that Harry and the gang desperately needed to destroy to defeat Voldemort. Voldemort himself used Kreacher to hide the locket in the Crystal Cave, leaving Kreacher there to die (as if you needed more reasons to hate He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named).
Fortunately, Kreacher managed to escape and brought Regulus Black to replace the real locket with a fake one. Eventually, he even helped the gang track down the stolen real locket, which had ended up in the hands of the only person arguably worse than Voldemort: Dolores Umbridge.
ANYWAYS, before I get too far into a Harry Potter tangent (which I tend to do with posts related to the Boy Who Lived), let’s talk about Kreacher’s culinary skills. Once he warmed up to Harry and received the fake locket as a gift, Kreacher actually attempted to bring Grimmauld Place back to its former glory and even cooked meals for Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Although, I have a feeling he may have added some of his spit to Hermione’s food… being raised in a family of pure-blood wizards that despised Muggle-born witches and wizards, I’m sure that prejudice took some extra time to wear off.
But I digress.
Here’s What You’ll Need
Today, I’m sharing my version of Kreacher’s French onion soup, which may be a little far from authentic, but I’d like to think he used some sort of elvish magic to create something similar.
- Onions: Thinnly sliced onions provide the base and main flavor of the French onion soup.
- Butter: Adds richness and enhances the caramelization of the onions.
- White wine: Deglazes the pan and adds a subtle depth of flavor to the soup.
- Garlic: Minced garlic adds aromatic and savory notes to the soup.
- Flour: Helps thicken the soup and create a slightly creamy texture.
- Beef broth: Provides a savory and meaty flavor base for the soup.
- Sheet dough or pizza dough: Forms a delicious bread topping for the soup.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds a nutty and salty flavor to the soup, and creates a crispy crust on the bread.
- Gruyere cheese: Melts beautifully and adds a creamy and slightly sweet flavor to the soup.
- Salt & pepper: Enhances the overall taste of the soup by balancing the flavors.
Let’s Get Started
Start by cutting your onions in half lengthwise and then into slices. Toss the chopped onions into a saucepan with some butter and sauté them until they begin to brown, which usually takes about 30 minutes.
Be sure to stir frequently so you don’t burn the onions!
Once the onions are beginning to break down, add the remaining butter and a splash of white wine to deglaze the pan and enhance the flavors.
Next, pour in the beef broth and bring the soup to a rolling boil, allowing all the delicious flavors to meld together.
Preheat the oven and grab some ramekins. Fill each ramekin about ¾ of the way full with the piping hot soup and generously cover the surface with a layer of Parmesan and Gruyere cheeses.
This combination adds a delightful richness and gooey texture to the soup.
Now, here comes the magical touch!
Take the pizza dough, but remember not to unroll it. Instead, cut it into 8 even pieces and gently place two of the rolls on top of each ramekin filled with soup. These dough pieces will transform into golden-brown bread “hats” that elevate the dish.
Bake the ramekins in the oven for approximately 15 minutes, or until the tops of the bread are beautifully golden brown and crispy. The aroma will fill your kitchen, tantalizing your taste buds.
Allow the soup to cool for a few minutes. While a spell like “arresto momentum” might help Muggles like us bring the soup’s temperature down quickly, we’ll just have to exercise a little patience.
Once the bread topping has cooled down, serve the soup right away – preferably alongside a flagon of ale for the full Hogwarts dining experience.
Helpful Hints & Tips
- Caramelizing the Onions: Take your time when caramelizing the onions. Slowly sautéing them over medium heat for about 30 minutes will allow them to develop a deep, sweet flavor.
- Preventing Burnt Onions: Stir the onions frequently to prevent them from burning. The sugars in the onions can easily caramelize and turn bitter if left unattended.
- Choosing the Right Cheese: While Parmesan and Gruyere are classic choices for French onion soup, you can experiment with other melting cheeses like Swiss or Fontina for different flavor profiles.
- Adjusting the Seasonings: Taste the soup before serving and adjust the salt and pepper to your preference. Remember to season sparingly at first, as the cheeses can add saltiness to the overall dish.
- Crusty Bread Topping: If you prefer an extra crispy bread topping, lightly toast the rolls of pizza dough before placing them on the soup. This will ensure a delightful crunch.
- Avoiding Soggy Bread: To prevent the bread from becoming too soggy, make sure the soup is hot when pouring it into the ramekins. The heat will help the bread maintain its structure and texture.
- Baking Time Variation: Keep an eye on the baking process, as oven temperatures may vary. Adjust the baking time as needed to achieve the desired golden-brown color on the bread.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve the soup immediately after baking to enjoy the contrast between the hot, savory soup and the cheesy, bread topping. Pair it with a side salad or a crusty baguette for a complete meal.
Imagine savoring each spoonful of this rich and hearty French onion soup, with its caramelized onions, flavorful broth, and the irresistible combination of melted cheeses and crispy bread on top. It’s a magical delight that will transport you to the cozy halls of Grimmauld Place, where Kreacher worked his culinary magic for Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
Enjoy, my Hungry People, and remember to channel your inner house-elf when cooking up this delightful dish!
Kreacher’s French Onion Soup | Harry Potter Inspired Recipes
Ingredients
- 2-4 cups onions thinnly sliced
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons white wine
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons flour
- ½ cup beef broth
- 1 can sheet dough or pizza dough
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese shredded
- ½ cup Gruyere cheese shredded
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut each onion lengthwise, then thinly slice them.
- In a saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onions to the pan. Once the onions begin to brown, reduce the heat to medium.
- Sauté the onions until they are browned through, which usually takes about 30 minutes.
- Add the remaining butter to the pan along with the minced garlic and flour. Scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Deglaze the pan by pouring in the white wine. Stir well to incorporate all the flavors.
- Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Let it boil for 5 minutes, then reduce the heat and simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Fill ramekins about ¾ full with the soup. Cover the top of each ramekin with a generous amount of Parmesan and Gruyere cheeses.
- If using pizza dough, cut it into evenly sized rolls and place two on top of each ramekin.
- Bake the ramekins in the oven for about 15 minutes or until the tops of the bread are golden brown.
- Allow the soup to cool for 15 minutes before serving. Serve this magical soup to good witches, wizards, and Muggles alike. Enjoy!
