Probably originating in the 17th century, in France, at a time when onions were a basic ingredient, due to their availability and low cost, in the beginning it only had onions, bread and water as ingredients. Over time, the soup became popular and was being incremented, gaining new ingredients, and some recipes even mention Champagne, beer or bacon.
Today the classic french recipe it includes onions, butter, very concentrated broth, a little flour, white wine or brandy, stale bread, cheese, usually gruyère or emmental, and… patience, a lot of patience.
The soup uses few ingredients, but the way it is prepared turns it into an elegant, complex and comforting dish. The secret is in the caramelization of the onion, which takes time.
Usually a bowl with a typical shape is served, the finishing touch is due to the gratin, after covering the soup with bread and sprinkling grated cheese on top. The result is a dense, full-bodied soup, full of umami, with the complexity brought by the caramelization of the onion and the white wine or cognac, and the texture and butteriness of the bread crust with gratin cheese. A perfect meal for the typical Curitiban winter.
Next, check out 5 sure-fire places to taste French Onion Soup in Curitiba
Cantina and Pizzeria Bavaria
One of the most traditional restaurants in Curitiba, which turned 51 this year, serves the most famous Onion Soup in the city.
Well caramelized, dark, the Bavarian soup is layered one by one in the bowl and gratinated with black-covered Uruguayan parmesan cheese in a wood-fired oven, which also adds an irresistible smoked touch to the dish. It is very substantial and absurdly tasty, and can be a main course if you are not very hungry. It costs BRL 52.
Cantina and Pizzeria Bavaria: Al. Augusto Stellfeld, 18 – Downtown, Curitiba – PR / Tel.: (41) 3232-1995 / Open every day from 6 pm to midnight.
L’Epicerie
One of the most French corners of the city serves, of course, a perfect version of the soup.
The recipe arrives at the table in a large bowl with a perfect crust of bread and gratin cheese covering the entire surface of the soup. It’s dark, well caramelized, not so greasy, a little less dense, thought to be consumed together with the generous crust of bread and cheese. It serves as a main dish easily. Out for BRL 52.
L’Epicerie: Fernando Simas, 340 – Bigorrilho, Curitiba – PR / Tel.: (41) 3044-4744 / Open from Tuesday to Friday from 7 pm to 10 pm, Saturday from 12 pm to 3 pm and from 7 pm to 10 pm, Sunday from 12 pm to 3 pm.
Ile de France restaurant
The traditional French restaurant has the recipe unchanged for decades. The soup is brought to the table in a classic French bowl, which is pure charm, topped with soft bread and plenty of gratin Emmental cheese. It’s a little lighter, very dense and buttery.
Happiness in the form of spoonfuls. If you are not very hungry, serve as a main dish. It costs BRL 62.
Ile de France: Av. do Batel, 1550 space 4 do Work Batel – Batel, Curitiba – PR / Tel.: (41) 3223-9962 / Open from Monday to Thursday from 7 pm to 10.30 pm, Friday from 12 pm to 3 pm and from 7 pm to 10.30 pm, Saturday from 12 pm at 3 pm and from 7 pm to 10:30 pm, Sunday from 12 pm to 4 pm.
Barbarella Bakery
This beautiful bread house offers French Onion Soup from May to October, any time of the day. It is served on a flat plate, partially covered with a slice of bread with gratin cheese. Darker, it is very well caramelized and extremely tasty and complex. Serves as a complete meal. Out for R$ 48.
Barbarella Bakery: Comendador Araújo, 795 – Centro, Curitiba – PR / Tel.: (41) 3076-0167 / Open from Monday to Friday from 7 am to 10 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to 10 pm.
Vindouro Restaurant
Served in a bowl sealed by a very golden puff pastry, which, when pierced, reveals a dark soup, but translucent, not very dense, with thyme very present. The pasta is delicious, so drop it into the soup to thicken the broth a bit. As it is smaller, it serves as a starter, and you can also order a main dish. Out for R$ 42.
Coming: Guarda-Mor Lustosa, 129 – Juvevê, Curitiba – PR / Phone: (41) 3027-0700 / Open every day from 11:30 am to 3:00 pm and Monday to Saturday from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
*The texts published by Insiders and Columnists do not necessarily reflect the opinion of CNN Viagem & Gastronomia.
About Caroline Grimm
Born in Curitiba, a doctor by training and a gastronome at heart, Caroline Grimm is also a content creator and accumulates thousands of followers on social networks. As she herself describes, she lives to cook, eat, drink and travel – not necessarily in that order, but always looking for the best experiences.
Source: CNN Brasil
Johanna Foster is an expert opinion writer with over 7 years of experience. She has a reputation for delivering insightful and thought-provoking articles on a variety of subjects. Her work can be found on some of the top online news websites, and she is currently lending her voice to the world stock market.
