Appetizing Aperture: Sweet Vidalia Onions Now in Season

Sweet blooming onion! Vidalia onion season is now upon us, as yesterday marked the official start. "Souper," exclaims Marc Taft, chef/owner at Chicken and the Egg in Marietta and executive chef/general manager of The Mill Kitchen & Bar in Roswell. Get your chef on and  celebrate this beloved vegetable by making his creamy Vidalia onion soup. Don't forget to check out all the other delicious Vidalia recipes on the Vidalia Onion Committee website. Pure spring bliss.

Creamy Vidalia Onion Soup:

6 tablespoons butter

5 pounds Vidalia onions, sliced

2 thyme sprigs

1 bay leaf

2 tablespoons sugar

2 celery ribs, finely diced

1 tablespoon garlic, minced

1 cup sherry

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2 quarts chicken stock or vegetable stock

1-2 cups of white country bread, crumbled

Kosher salt & fresh cracked black pepper

Method: 

1. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a heavy pot.

2. Add the onions, thyme and season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat until onions are softened.

3. Add sugar, stirring occasionally, until onions are caramelized.

4. Remove onion to a bowl and set aside.

5. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in pot and add celery, garlic and bay leaf and cook for 2-3 minutes. Increase heat and add sherry. Reduce by half.

6. Add back onion and add chicken stock. Cook for about 30 minutes.

7. Add heavy cream and simmer for 5 minutes.

8. Add bread to soup and stir until incorporated.

9. Puree the soup in a food processor or blender.

10. Season with salt and pepper. 

Photo by Hope Philbrick.