Caramelized Beet and Sweet Onion Soup

Caramelized Beet and Sweet Onion Soup

Inspired by French onion soup and borscht, this soup is a gorgeous burgundy color and served with goat cheese toast.

Learn more about the culinary and nutritional qualities of beets

Developed by Jackie Newgent, RDN, LDN

Ingredients

• 1½ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 large sweet onions, very thinly sliced
• 1 large beet, peeled and cut into ¼-inch cubes
• 2 large garlic cloves, minced, plus
• 1 garlic clove, halved
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
• 4 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth*
• 1 tablespoon aged red wine vinegar
• ¾ teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
• ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 4 ½-inch-thick diagonal slices wholegrain baguette
• 1½ ounces goat cheese, room temperature

Directions

1. Heat oil in a Dutch oven or stockpot over medium heat. Add onions and beets, and cook about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are slightly softened. Increase heat to medium-high and cook another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are fully softened, richly colored and have a distinct caramelized aroma.
2. Add minced garlic and thyme, and sauté for 1 minute or until fragrant.
3. Add broth, vinegar, salt and pepper. Increase heat to high, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered, until flavors have fully developed and beets are cooked through, about 20 minutes.
4. Preheat oven to 475°F. Place baguette slices on a baking sheet and bake until lightly toasted, about 6 to 7 minutes. Remove from oven and rub toast slices with halved garlic clove. Spread goat cheese on one side of each toast slice. Ladle soup into bowls, and top each bowl with a piece of goat cheese toast. If desired, sprinkle with additional fresh thyme. Serves 4.

Cooking Note

• If you prefer a thinner soup, add an extra cup of broth.

Nutrition Information

SERVING SIZE: 1 rounded cup soup and 1 goat cheese toast

CALORIES 184; TOTAL FAT 9g; SAT. FAT 3g; CHOL. 8mg; SODIUM 781mg; CARB. 20g; FIBER 4g; SUGARS 7g; PROTEIN 6g; POTASSIUM N/A; PHOSPHORUS N/A

Note: Nutrition information for potassium and phosphorus in low-sodium vegetable broth not available. Did not include ½ garlic clove used to wipe bread in analysis. Analysis assumed whole-grain baguette was 2½ ounces.