Description
A comforting cream of spinach soup enhanced by a savory-sweet caramelized onion and Gruyère cheese topping, perfect for an elegant weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs fresh spinach, stems removed
- 3 large yellow onions, divided (1 diced, 2 sliced)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese, grated
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics and Spinach: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 5-7 minutes until soft. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the fresh spinach in batches, stirring until wilted. Remove pot from heat and let cool slightly.
- Blend Soup Base: Transfer wilted spinach mixture and vegetable broth to a blender. Blend until completely smooth. Set aside.
- Create Roux and Thicken Soup: In the same pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to create a roux. Gradually whisk in the blended spinach mixture until smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Caramelize Onion Topping: In a separate skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and cook slowly for 25-35 minutes, stirring frequently, until deeply golden brown and caramelized. Combine the warm caramelized onions with the grated Gruyère cheese, stirring until the cheese melts slightly into a cohesive mixture.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the warm soup into bowls. Top each serving with a generous spoonful of the caramelized onion and Gruyère mixture, then garnish with fresh chives.
Notes
Avoid boiling the soup once the heavy cream has been added to prevent separation. For best results, allow the cream to reach room temperature before adding it to the hot soup base.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 345 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 490 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg