Thursday, February 17, 2011

Home Sweet Home #2

Welcome to the second Home Sweet Home Party!  I was totally amazed and in awe of the amount of participants in last week's party.  You all are a talented bunch of bloggers!  It is such fun to visit and see what your up to.  Thank YOU for linking up!  
FYI:  The top three most viewed links were:
The Polka Dot Closet
Instead of picking my favorites, I want to highlight who the viewers liked.  A bit of advertising for you to thank you for linking up.
Today I am sharing one of my favorite soups and some thrift finds.   
 Onion Soup Gratine'e  (French Onion Soup)
Recipe Source: Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home. 
Ingredients:
2 tbs oil
1 tbs butter
1 1/2 lbs. onions, peeled and sliced thinly sliced (about 5 cups)
1 tsp minced fresh thyme sprigs, or 1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp salt, to taste
5 cups hot chicken stock, homemade, or low-sodium canned broth
1/4 tsp red or white wine (optional)
For each crock of onion soup grantine'e
3 or 4 slices of baguette, about 1/4 inch thick cut on the diagonal
2 -2 1/2 ounces Gruye're cheese grated (about 3/4 cup)

Set the saucepan over med-low heat and add the oil and butter.  When the butter has melted , add onions, thyme, and 1/2 tsp of salt and mix together thoroughly.  Cover the pan and cook for about 10 min., stirring occasionally.  When the onions are quite tender, uncover and raise the heat slightly.  Cook for another 20 to 25 min., stirring frequently, until the onions are dark brown and caramelized in the pan. (Lower the heat in if the onions are in danger of burning.)

Stir in the hot stock, scraping any crystallized juices from the bottom of the pan, and bring the soup to a boil.  Taste and adjust the seasonings, adding salt and 1/4 tsp of black pepper or more to taste, and wine, if you like.  Cover and simmer for about 10 min.
The soup can be served plain or gratine'ed.

For the onion soup gratine'e:
To make the croutons, toast a dozen or so baguette slices o a baking sheet in a 400 degree oven, until crisp, about 10 min.
When the soup is ready, arrange the individually crocks on a baking sheet.  Put the croutons into the bottom of each crock, and sprinkle about 2 tbsps. of cheese on top.  Ladle in a cup or more soup, to fill the crock to the inner rim.  Heap a large mound of grated cheese all over the surface of the soup, using the rest of the cheese for each crock.  
Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the cheese is dark golden brown and had formed a crust over the soup.  Move hot crocks to individual plates and serve.
Yields: 5-6 crocks
*Note: I am not going to theme my parties but, in the near future I am doing a post on food costs and thrifty ways to shop for your groceries.  Anybody an expert in this please, I welcome more ideas!

Now, I will show you some nice little thrift finds.  I found this Bavarian china in a blue pattern.  I don't see the blue very often and it was really pretty.

I also found these little embroidered and lace edged hankies.

Here is a little vintage vignette for you. 
I am also going to join some of my favorite parties also so we can share the fun.
I am linking us to:
Junkin Finds Friday  at A La Carte
Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Feathered Nest Friday at My French Country Cottage
Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Now, it is your turn.  Show me what you got.  Link will be live at 7 PM CST.


43 comments:

Ellen said...

Ok, you have officially made me hungry- the Onion Soup Gratine'e looks absolutely yummy! I'm so going to make this. Thanks for sharing. Also love the Bavarian china, it's really pretty. Have a great weekend!

xoxo,
Ellen

Debra@CommonGround said...

Bavarian plates and their gorgeous roses are a fave of mine. And that onion soup looks so delicious. Thanks for linking up for the party!!
big hugs,
Debra

Brenda Pruitt said...

Oh yum! I do think I can smell that through them monitor. Will you come cook for me? I don't seem to have this particular talent.
Brenda

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Sherry...

Mmmm...your French Onion soup looks and sounds divine, my friend! Yum!!! Thanks for sharing your recipe with us! I must admit...I have never made French Onion soup and I love it! I will have to give your recipe a try!

Your Bavarian plate is just beautiful, my friend! It sure does make a lovely vignette! I also just adore the vintage linen hankies...lovely! Thanks for sharing your pretties with us! I am so excited about your new blog party...couldn't wait to jump in and get my feet wet! Hehe! I'll be back this evening to link up! Thank you so much for hosting!

Warmest wishes,
Chari @Happy To Design

PS...thanks so much for stopping by and taking a peek at my Valentine treasures today! Enjoyed your sweet note, my friend!

Olga Poltava said...

Hello Sherry,
The first Home Sweet Home link party was a real success. Congrats! And I can't wait to link to your party later tonight.
Thank you for sharing the soup recipe. It sounds delicious. And your thrift store finds are simply gorgeous!

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Yum yum. That looks good Sherry. I am going to join the party when the link is up. Why don't you have it ready when you publish your post? Just curious.

Blondie's Journal said...

This looks just delicious, Sherry! It looks like it is from a cooking magazine! Yum I love your beautiful blue dish, too! Wonderful find!

XO,
Jane

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Super cute plate! I love the blue in it! Thanks for linking up with JFF!

hugs, Linda

Anonymous said...

Love French onion soup and this recipe looks absolutely scrumptious!

bj said...

Yummy, looks sooo good.

Simone @ Doberman's by the Sea said...

Hello, I'm your newest follower and will be linking up to the party. You have a lovely home and blog. Have a great night.

Concetta said...

I have always loved your blog and I am so excited about you hosting this lovely party. The soup looks delicious!
<><
Concetta

Savannah Granny said...

The onion soup looks fantastic. I am so glad you included the recipe. Love the beautiful blue trimmed plate and the hankies.
Thanks for hosting this party. I somehow missed it last week. I came over to look at yesterday's tablescape and say it. I am going to join it Thanks again for hosting. Hugs, Ginger

Debbiedoos said...

Delish! Thanks for hosting Sherry!!~

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Sherry! I love French onion soup...and Julia's recipe...extra yummy! Love your finds...especially the plate! Happy weekend!...hugs...Debbie

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

SO YUMMY! I LOVE French Onion Soup! One of My VERY FAVORITE THINGS is Bavarian China... I don't care HOW MANY different patterns there are, I would LOVE TO Have at LEAST one of each! Your Plate is Gorgeous!
Have a wonderful week,
Hugs, Donna

Susan said...

Sherry! I absolutely love French Onion soup!! The Bravarian dish is gorgeous!

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Your onion soup looks YUM!, Sherry! After all this time I have neglected to follow you. I'm off to sign up!

Sarah said...

Your onion soup looks delicious! It is a perfect winter dish.
Thanks for hosting each week. ~ Sarah

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Sherry the soup looks so YUMMY!! and warm feeling I love soup to warm me on winter days like were having now girl..over a foot of snow on my mountain sighs...cabin fever going to set in for sure ha ha!!
I love your china plate they always look wonderful hanging on a wall..I'm linked in my friend..Good luck with the party am glad to hear it was so great for you last week my Dear friend..Hugs and smiles Gloria

bj said...

Thanks so much for hosting..

xinex said...

The soup looks delish, Sherry and the Bavarian plate is very pretty....Christine

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

ahhh I love Onion grantine! very French.. and making me hungry for onion soup with slices of baguette!! yumm! and that Bavarian plate just lovely! love it! have a great weekend!

Maggie said...

We love French onion soup, Mr B (the family soup maker)makes one that is historic!
Love your pretty plate, too.

Anonymous said...

Sherry,

Those recipes sound fantastic ... I think I need to go food shopping so I can make some! I love making soups so I can't wait to try your recipe!

~Kelly

Ms. Bake-it said...

Hello Sherry,

I love Onion Soup Gratine'e and this is one of my favorite recipes also. I love your blue Bavarian china vintage vignette.

~ Tracy

Tammy@Beatrice Banks said...

Sherry, the soup looks wonderful! Just found your great party and lovely blog via Cozy Little House. I'm your newest follower and would be delighted to have you follow me back.
I want to join the party today. I hope my post is ok. It does include features of my house although it includes other homes too.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Tammy

Barb said...

Hi Sherry, oh, this looks delicious.

Wonderful pics!

Barb ♥

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hi Sherry,
That is such a pretty plate! Thanks for hosting and have yourself a lovely weekend.

Blessings,
Sandi

Sue said...

We love French Onion Soup, but both of us started having trouble eating onions a few years ago and had to give it up. I can almost smell how good yours would be.

I need to start linking to your party. I'm going to try to do some catching up in Blogland and start next week back on track.

Catherine Holman said...

That soup looks delish!
Hugs,
Cathie

Annie-Savor This Moment said...

Yum! The soup sounds awesome on this dreary day we have here!

Anonymous said...

Sherry, the soup looks and sounds delicious! I will have to try this and let you know how it turns out.

Thank you for the recipe,
Marianne

Johanna Gehrlein said...

Hi Sherry
thank you for your sweet comment. I am always late with my comments in that times.
Your onion soup looks really mouthwatering. I can even smell the scent.
And this loittle plate is a real treasure. I love he dainty white roses on it.
Greetings, Johanna

Martha said...

I love onion soup and that plate is just adorable!

Kathy said...

Congratulations Sherry - this is exciting! Terrific idea for a blog party - much success - thinking of a post now!
Love sharing in blogland!
Kathy

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Hi Sherry, Love your sweet thrift finds- that plate is so pretty!!- I am so behind because of the weather/no power here- I'll try to stop back by and link up! Thanks for sharing at Feathered Nest Friday! :)

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Okay- stopped back and linked up!! Thanks for hosting! :)

Tomaszowa Chata said...

Hi, Sherry:)

I like the French Onion Soup:)Yummy! Your soup is super!!
These little embroidered and lace edged hankies ... lovely.

Have a nice weekend and much love:)
Kate

Donnie said...

I bet your home smelled wonderful. I love all your vintage things.

Vintage Linen Treasures said...

Oh my goodness. Does that look delicious or what!? Made my mouth water before I even knew the ingredients.
I love how you used the plate and the sea shell in the vintage vignette. I have a little shelf very similar to yours. I think I'll try the shell in mine too.
Patricia :o)

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Onion soup is my favorite. thank you for the special shout out from last weeks party, who knew just a little covered stool would be of interest!

Carol

ThriftyAnnabella said...

Your soup looks delicious and I love your plate.