Tuscan Onion soup

 

• 2 pounds (roughly 1 kg) red onions, sliced thinly
  
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  
• 4 fresh sage leaves
  
• salt and pepper
  
• 4 cups (1 liter) vegetable stock
  
• 4 eggs (can omit or put italian sausage instead)
  
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving if desired
  
• 4 slices crusty bread, toasted
• 1.In a large, heavy-bottomed stock pot, gently saute the onion in the olive oil with a good pinch of salt and pepper and sage leaves on lowest heat. Let them sweat very gently without letting them colour to release their sweetness, about 30 minutes. If they begin to get dry or stick just add a splash of the vegetable stock

2. Add the stock to cover and turn heat up until it begins to simmer. Keep heat on medium and let the soup cook 30 minutes. Check for seasoning and add salt or pepper as needed.

3. About 5 minutes before soup is ready, sprinkle half of the cheese over the top of the soup, crack the eggs into the pot and cover with the rest of the cheese and cover, without stirring. The whites should be cooked and the yolks runny—about 5 minutes.

4. Serve the soup with an egg in each bowl along with the bread. If desired, sprinkle over extra Parmesan, a grating of black pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.

cinnamon muffins

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (240g)
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar (200 g)
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

For the Streusel:

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 3 teaspoons cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons butter (chilled)

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

For the Muffins:

• In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Whisk to break any clumps.
• In another bowl, combine the oil, eggs, sugar, buttermilk and vanilla. Mix well.
• Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix just until combined.

For the Streusel:

• In a small bowl, combine the sugar, cinnamon and butter, cutting it with a fork until it resembles coarse crumbs.
• Spray 2 muffin pans with cooking spray.
• Fill 14-16 muffin cups half full.
• Sprinkle half of the cinnamon streusel on over the muffin batter.
• Use the remaining batter to fill the muffin cups the rest of the way.
• Sprinkle the remaining streusel on top of the muffins.
• Bake at 425 for 5 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees (without opening the oven) and bake for an additional 11-12 minutes, or until the center of the muffin bounces back when you touch it.
• Allow the muffins to cool for 5 minutes, then remove them from the pan and allow them to cool on a wire rack.
• Store in an airtight container.