Well, let me tell ya, if you’re sittin’ down to a big ol’ bowl of French onion soup, you sure don’t want to be eatin’ it all by its lonesome, now do ya? No, no, no. You need somethin’ on the side to really make it a meal, somethin’ to dip, somethin’ to crunch, and somethin’ to balance out all that rich, oniony goodness in the soup.
First thing’s first, bread is a must. You gotta have some good, crusty bread to go with that soup. Now, it don’t matter what kind of bread, as long as it’s nice and hearty, with a bit of crunch to it. If you’re feelin’ fancy, you can drizzle a little olive oil on it with some garlic or herbs. You dip that bread right into the soup and let that cheese and broth soak in—oh, you’re in heaven!
If you want to kick it up a notch, make yourself some homemade croutons from that same bread. Cut it up, toast it up nice and crunchy, and then toss ‘em into your soup. Those croutons soak up that broth so good, you won’t even believe it. You’ll be lickin’ your spoon clean.
Now, for some greens to balance it out. I’d say go for a fresh, crispy salad. It don’t have to be nothin’ too fancy, just some greens—arugula’s good, or even just a simple green salad with a bit of parmesan cheese on top. Throw some olive oil on there, maybe a splash of vinegar or lemon juice, and you got yourself a fresh, tangy side dish that cuts through the richness of the soup. A salad’s always a good idea when you got somethin’ heavy like French onion soup.
Another good side dish could be somethin’ with a little tang or creaminess to it, like a root vegetable dish. Think potatoes, carrots, or even beets. If they’re creamy or tangy, they’ll go right alongside that rich broth and make the whole meal feel a little more hearty.
And let’s not forget cheese. Now, French onion soup is already loaded with cheese on top, but a little extra cheese on the side never hurt nobody. Maybe a nice little cheese platter with some sharp cheddar, gouda, or even some creamy brie. You can nibble on that while you slurp down your soup—makes it feel like a proper feast!
If you want somethin’ a little more substantial, you could pair your soup with a panini. A chicken pesto panini would go real nice. You got that warm, melty cheese on top of the soup, and then you got that crispy, cheesy panini with a bit of pesto—talk about a flavor explosion. Or if you’re feelin’ real hungry, a steak’s always a winner. Steak and French onion soup, well, that’s a combo made in heaven. The savory flavors of the steak mix so nicely with the sweet onions in the soup, and that gooey cheese ties it all together.
One thing you gotta remember though, onions are mighty good for ya. They got all sorts of good stuff in ‘em, like antibacterial and antifungal properties. So not only is your soup tasty, but it’s doin’ you some good, too!
So, there ya have it. If you want a full meal with your French onion soup, just add some bread, cheese, a fresh salad, and maybe a little side dish of roasted veggies. If you’re still hungry after that, a sandwich or a steak will fill ya right up. You won’t go wrong with any of these pairings, trust me!
Tags:[French onion soup, what to eat with French onion soup, bread, salad, cheese, croutons, root vegetables, steak, panini, side dishes]