French Onion Soup
Benihana Onion Soup Recipe
This is the original Benihana onion soup recipe and the onions are complemented with shallots and mushrooms. The broth is made from scratch, with a chicken carcass, beef bones and vegetables as well as garlic.
This is a very healthy and fresh tasting onion soup recipe. Benihana is a Japanese steakhouse restaurant, which is famed for its excellent sushi and Asian cuisine. This Benihana soup recipe is a light and flavorful appetizer, which will clear your palate before your entree. You could not confuse this Benihana onion soup recipe with a French onion soup recipe because, apart from the fact they both contain onions, they are not similar at all. However, if you fancy something light and fresh flavored, this one is perfect.
What makes Benihana soup so special is that the bouillon simmers gently for six hours before the onion and mushrooms are added. This really intensifies the vegetable flavors and makes the soup incredibly flavorful. You do not have to simmer it for so long but it is recommended, if you want the tastiest soup possible.
Authentic Benihana Mushroom and Onion Soup
Ingredients -
For the Bouillon:
1 chicken carcass
1 onion, finely diced
½ carrot, sliced
¼ garlic clove, smashed
2 quarts water
1 beef bone
¼ stalk celery
For the Soup:
2 ¼ lbs mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 onion, thinly sliced
¼ cup chopped shallot
2 tablespoons vegetable oil or sesame oil
Preparation:
Combine the bouillon ingredients and boil for between 1 and 6 hours.
Strain the mixture through a napkin or cheesecloth.
Add the mushrooms and let them simmer in the bouillon for 2 or 3 minutes.
Sauté the onion in the oil in another pan until it is brown and crispy, then drain it and pat with a paper towel.
Add the cooked onions to the bouillon in 4 serving bowls and serve right away.
(Serves 4)
Simple Yet Exotic Asian Onion Soup
If you fancy a change from a French onion soup recipe, Asian onion soup can deliver the same delicious onion flavor but with a completely different overall taste. The Benihana onion soup recipe is a great example of how a very simple recipe, made with just vegetables, meat and a touch of sesame oil for flavoring, can be as delicious as classic French onion soup. A light and fragrant Asian onion soup makes a great appetizer because it is not too filling. French onion soup has strong, bold flavors but many Asian soups are aromatic and delicate tasting instead. It just depends which one you are in the mood for.
Unmistakable Flavors in Asian Onion Soup Recipes
Asian recipes vary a lot because Asia is so huge but there are some typical Asian flavors, which can apply to Chinese, Japanese, Thai, and other Asian soups. Chinese soups might be gelatinous while Japanese soups tend to be very liquid, but flavors like sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and seafood feature in many Asian recipes. Celery, carrots, and onion are popular in Eastern soup recipes, such as a Benihana onion soup recipe, and a touch of chili is not uncommon. Thai soups often feature coconut milk and cilantro, both of which are very flavorful and delicious with onions. Many types of Asian soup are very easy to make.