Frenchie Onion Soup

Cookbook author extraordinaire Sarah Kramer's 2010 Go Vegan wall calendar hangs proudly on my kitchen wall right next to the fridge. When I hung the calendar on New Year's Day, I promised myself I wouldn't peek ahead. Now each month's kitschy-cute pic of Kramer and accompanying recipe 'o the month is a fun surprise.

I also promised myself that I would make every recipe in the calendar in the month it appeared. June was Frenchie Onion Soup, and though I had intentions of making this veganized comfort standard in June, I actually didn't get around to cooking the soup until July 1st. Oops! Here it is — better late than never, right?

I haven't had French onion soup in years, certainly not since I went vegan in 2004. But I remember loving the soft, caramelized onions, melted cheese, and soup-logged bread. Kramer's easy beef stock-free version did not disappoint. You may not see much liquid in the picture, but it's there hiding under all those onions and whole wheat bread. My vegan cheese of choice was mozzarella Daiya, which melted to stringy perfection under the broiler.

If you don't have Kramer's wall calendar, this soup is also featured in La Dolce Vegan.