I’m having major blasts from the past today. Backstory – when I was 15, I reached my peak of coolness. (Could that have really been almost 10 years ago?) I dated a guy from my high school who had a car and was in a band. I pierced my own ears myself, wore grunge outfits from finds in thrift stores, performed at a hole-in-the-wall venue with the same guy’s band, and in general made my parents’ lives miserable.

Fast forward to now, I’m penning henna tattoos on myself, seriously considering this vegan pink hair dye I got, writing poetry, and practicing with my best friend’s band for a gig coming up in February. The only difference is that I don’t live with my parents anymore, so they can’t freak out about the henna butterfly on my wrist (Mom, if you’re reading this, it comes off in a few weeks).

I go in and out of phases in my life where I really care about what other people think, and then I kind of snap out of it and do whatever the f$%# I want (within reason). But now that I’m older, I feel myself settling into a more permanent state of freedom that exhilarates me. I’m realizing now that what matters most is what’s inside, and that everything else is just a vehicle for self-expression.

So my message to you today, to any of you who feel held back or stifled – LIVE YOUR LIFE. LIVE YOUR TRUTH. Be kind and do good towards others, that’s what really counts. But if you feel like wearing platform boots or dyeing a few chunks of your hair pink or singing in a rock band, DO IT. DON’T LIVE FOR ANYONE ELSE. LIVE FOR YOU. 

I guess in the theme of living your life the way YOU like, I’m also telling you to eat soup the way you like. French Onion Soup is traditionally made with seriously non-vegetarian ingredients, but it’s just as delicious when made vegan (if not more so). You caramelize the onions until they’re rich and sweet, then add in your fave veg broth + fresh thyme. You could also add in a glug or two of red wine, if that’s your thing. Let me also say that I’ve actually had French Onion Soup in Paris, and yet I still liked this version better. I hope you all like it too!!

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Vegan French Onion Soup

This Vegan French Onion Soup is so full of rich umami flavors, you won’t believe it’s vegan! It’s better than the version I tried in Paris, France!

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour

Total Time 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Servings 2 Big Bowls, 3-4 Side Bowls

Ingredients

• Two Large Red Onions thinly sliced
• 1/2 White Onion thinly sliced
• Drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil for cooking
• 2 Large Cloves of Garlic minced
• 8 Cups Vegetable Broth
• The Leaves from 3 Fresh Sprigs of Thyme
• 1/2 Tsp Black Pepper
• Salt to Taste

Instructions

• Start by bringing some olive oil in a large soup pot to medium-low heat. Once oil is hot, add in sliced onions. Cook, covered, for 30 minutes, stirring every 5-10 minutes or so. We want the onions to be steamed and slightly browned, not burnt. If you burn your onions it will make the soup taste bitter.
• Once onions are soft, add in the minced garlic and stir well, sauteing for about a minute or so.
• Then, add in the broth, thyme, and black pepper. Stir, and let simmer for 30 minutes, covered.
• After 30 minutes, taste broth and gauge the salt level. It all depends on what type of broth you used. Add salt to taste, and any more black pepper / thyme if you’d like to.
• When done, ladle into bowls and serve. It tastes delicious with crusty bread to scoop up the onions!
• Enjoy!

Notes

I am adding some more detailed recipe instructions after receiving reader feedback. Please note the following things:

• There are very few ingredients in this recipe, so use the highest quality ingredients you can. Please use a vegetable broth that you know you like, because that makes up the bulk of the soup.
• Please follow the recipe instructions carefully and do not burn your onions. Reduce the heat if needed (every stove is different). Burnt onions will result in a bitter taste.
• Make sure you use enough salt. If the soup doesn’t taste super flavorful, it’s because there isn’t enough salt. However, be careful not to oversalt. Add in a little at a time, wait till it dissolves, taste, then add more if desired.
• Feel free to add in a glug or two of red wine when you add in the broth. Be sure to simmer well to let the alcohol evaporate out.

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Quote of the Day:

Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.

– Nathaniel Hawthorne