Cozy Winter Comfort: Baked French Onion Soup, Holiday Prep, and a Julie & Julia Giveaway

The recent storm turned what was supposed to be a productive morning into an unexpected adventure, perfectly setting the stage for a day dedicated to the simple yet profound comfort of cheesy baked French onion soup. My plan to drive out to Red Deer, car packed with an impressive spread – Boeuf Bourguignon, roasted tomato soup, decadent chocolate-hazelnut-espresso shortbread, and hot fudge sauce for sixteen people – was abruptly halted by the sheer force of the storm. I barely made it out of town before the whiteout hit, forcing me to turn around in Airdrie. For a moment, I considered joining the dozen or so bewildered drivers huddled in the Boston Pizza parking lot, all clearly wondering what to do next. Instead, I decided to brave the elements and make my way back. Surprisingly, once I was safely back in the city, I pushed onward to IKEA. My logic was simple: surely no one in their right mind would attempt to pick up a Christmas tree in such weather. Apparently, many other pre-weekend tree shoppers shared the exact same thought, as the store was bustling! We are now the proud owners of a slightly malformed yet utterly charming Christmas tree, which we fervently hope will survive until Christmas Day. And honestly, it’s hard to complain when it was practically free! Should the needles start to prematurely abandon ship, we’ve already got a backup plan: a can of green spray paint to declare it a very convincing “fake.”

The remainder of the day was a full-on marathon to restore some semblance of order to our home. Looking back, being snowed in by the storm was a blessing in disguise. With a busy weekend ahead – events tomorrow, brunch Sunday morning, and then the highly anticipated arrival of everyone for our Julie & Julia party Sunday night – a thorough house refresh was desperately needed. We had been holding out hope for advance copies of the movie to watch, but alas, they don’t ship until Tuesday. Not to worry, Pierre has graciously promised copies of Julia Child’s iconic The French Chef on VHS, which frankly, might be even better for a true vintage experience! So, with immense satisfaction, I can proudly declare that I am, at this very moment, lying on freshly cleaned sheets. I even tackled the top of the fridge, affectionately known as our “junk drawer,” and scrubbed the often-neglected little space beside the oven where the cookie sheets reside. As for the walls? Well, some battles are best saved for another day; they’ll just have to wait for a fresh coat of paint.

On days like this, when cupboards are emptied, and the sole focus is on dusting and straightening every last item without creating a single new, unnecessary mess, one’s culinary desires naturally lean towards something fast and easy. Thoughts drift to a frozen pizza, a grilled cheese sandwich, or perhaps just a bowl of cereal. Yet, here we are, a generation that might hardly consider baked French onion soup to be a simple and quick meal. But in the pre-microwave era, it likely was! Think about it: it’s just onions, stock, bread, and cheese. How much more basic can you get? (And no, don’t even suggest chicken fingers as an alternative to this elegant simplicity!) This classic dish, often perceived as complex, is in reality a testament to the beauty of minimal ingredients transformed through a little patience into something truly extraordinary. It’s a foundational comfort food, capable of warming you from the inside out, especially when the weather outside is anything but inviting.

And truly, it was remarkably simple to prepare. I began by thinly slicing a few onions and setting them to caramelize slowly in a pan with a touch of butter and oil, allowing their natural sweetness to deepen while I continued with my myriad other tasks around the house. Every now and then, I’d give them a stir, eventually adding a spoonful of flour to thicken the base before pouring in the rich, savory stock. I let the mixture gently simmer, its incredible aroma already beginning to fill the house, while I tackled the mudroom – a space that was living up to its name this particular week. Finally, with the soup perfectly melded, I ladled it into oven-safe bowls, topped each generously with roughly torn rounds of toasted bread, and liberally grated over a hearty layer of cheese. A quick run under the broiler, and voilà! The cheese bubbled and crisped to golden perfection. Honestly, it required barely more effort than assembling a grilled cheese sandwich, and few meals compare to the profound comfort of hot, savory soup crowned with a golden, bubbly crust of cheese when the snow is howling sideways past your window and your compost bin resembles a small, furry yeti.

If it weren’t for the timeless wisdom of Julia Child, I might have convinced myself that I couldn’t possibly make it, or that I shouldn’t bother without a specific cheese like Gruyère or something similarly meltable readily available in the fridge. But her instructions wisely allowed for Swiss or Parmesan, and thankfully, I had a good block of Parmesan on hand. The only ingredient I truly lacked was a proper crusty loaf of bread for the topping. We made do with grainy sliced sandwich bread, crisped up perfectly in the toaster, and frankly, it worked beautifully. Not a single complaint was uttered by anyone at the table. (Well, except for W, who, in a classic display of personal preference, opted for his usual dinner of oatmeal and raisins. You can’t win them all!)

The anticipation for our Julie & Julia party is palpable. Imagining everyone gathered, perhaps with a glass of wine, watching Julia Child’s magic unfold on the screen, whether it’s the contemporary film or the charming vintage VHS, is a wonderful thought. It’s more than just a party; it’s a celebration of good food, good company, and the enduring legacy of a culinary icon who inspired countless home cooks to find joy and confidence in their kitchens. This weekend promises to be a delightful blend of domestic achievement and festive culinary indulgence.

And now, just in the nick of time for the first big Christmas shopping weekend of the season, it’s time for some exciting news: it’s Free Stuff Friday!

You might never guess what incredible treat I have in store for you today. Or perhaps the enticing image above has already given it away – yes, it’s copies of the beloved movie Julie & Julia on DVD, generously provided courtesy of Sony Pictures! How perfectly fitting, wouldn’t you agree? Be among the very first on your block to own a copy for your very own viewing pleasure – these fantastic DVDs are scheduled to ship out this coming Tuesday. And here’s the best part: I don’t have just one copy, I have TWO! That’s right, two lucky winners will get to bring home this delightful film. This is incredibly exciting for me because I absolutely adore the process of choosing random numbers and spreading a little joy.

So, in keeping with our cozy, culinary, and French-inspired theme, I invite you to share your thoughts in the comments below. Unless you had something particularly spectacular for dinner last night that you’re eager to share with the world (or at least everyone here in our wonderful online community), tell us: do you have a cherished Julia Child recipe that holds a special place in your heart? Perhaps a favorite food scene from the movie that always makes you smile or crave something delicious? Or maybe just anything remotely French that sparks your culinary imagination? And for those feeling a little adventurous, have you ever attempted to tackle a lobster in your kitchen? I confess, I’m planning to take a delightful stab at making lobster thermidor (pun absolutely intended, of course!) this Tuesday night. It seems like the perfect, indulgent treat to savor in front of the movie, perhaps even replacing the traditional popcorn!

One Year Ago: Curried Chicken Noodle Soup with Spinach and Chickpeas