David’s Homemade French Onion Soup: Winter Comfort

Last night, we had a wonderful dinner with our daughter Carrie, son-in-law David, our grandchildren, and David’s parents. As always, David impressed us with his cooking, including his delicious Homemade French Onion Soup—a perfect choice for a cold winter evening. I can’t help but imagine him one day running a charming bistro downtown, serving signature dishes like this, if he ever decides that being CFO of Trendy Tree isn’t his ultimate calling.

David’s Take on a Classic Recipe

David’s recipe is adapted from Ambitious Kitchen’s Classic French Onion Soup. Rather than repeat the full recipe here, I’ll share the link so you can check it out. The main tweak he made was skipping the step of deglazing the pan with dry white wine, but it still turned out absolutely delicious! The rich, caramelized onions and perfectly toasted bread with melted cheese made it a standout dish—proof that even a small change can create a version that’s uniquely your own.

Serving in Style: A Surprising Find

David’s Homemade French Onion Soup was served in charming ramekins that made the dish feel extra special. Surprise—they came from Walmart! Our local Walmart has really upped its game lately, offering some great home goods, including these pretty and affordable ramekins. They were the perfect touch for a cozy, bistro-style presentation.

A Family Full of Culinary Talent

I can’t rave about my son-in-law’s cooking without giving a shout-out to Carrie! She’s an amazing cook as well and knows my love for cookies. This time, she made the most incredible chocolate chip cookies with peppermint—perfectly chewy, a little crunchy, and absolutely irresistible. I’ll be sharing her recipe with you soon! The holidays are so much sweeter when you have great cooks in the family, don’t you think?

The Joy of Family and Home

As we grow older, we come to treasure the simple joys of staying in with family, especially during the holidays. Cozy nights at home, sharing meals like David’s Homemade French Onion Soup and Carrie’s delicious cookies (you know I had to bring home a bag 😁) far more meaningful—and far less hectic—than braving busy restaurants. There’s something special about gathering around the table, enjoying great food, and creating memories together. I’m already looking forward to more wonderful meals and warm family moments as the season continues. These are the times that truly make the holidays magical.

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