Caramelized Shallot Soup

By amt2mf

Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 1/2 pounds shallots, sliced 1/4 inch thick (8 cups)
• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
• 3/4 cup dry white wine
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 cups beef broth
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup shelled chestnuts, roughly chopped
• 6 ounces Gruyere cheese, finely grated (1 1/2 cups)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

Preparation

Step 1

Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add shallots and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and saute, stirring occasionally, until tender and caramelized, 25 to 30 minutes. Add wine, and cook until it evaporates. Add bay leaf and broths, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer until soup is reduced by one-third, 25 to 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add chestnuts, and saute until crisp, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl; let cool. Add cheese and parsley, and toss with a fork.

Ladle soup into 6 bowls; top each with chestnut mixture.