When January rolls around, everyone I know is torn between their desire to lighten things up food-wise and their yearning for the warm, comforting dishes that are the hallmark of winter. I think soup strikes the perfect balance.

Done well, soup is a satisfying meal that won’t break the bank on calories or fat. A pot of simmering soup on the stove makes me feel like everything is right with the world. So this month, I’m bringing you a soup series on the blog. Try a different one every weekend – enjoy the chopping and simmering and especially the amazing aromas that will fill your kitchen.

We’re starting with French Onion Soup, which I remember ordering in restaurants when I was a child. I loved how the cheese melted over the sides of the crock and the slice of bread soaked up the broth. I still do. But most of the time, French Onion soup is overly salty and dripping with cheese. This version uses low-sodium beef broth and just enough cheese to give you the authentic experience without going over the top.  Enjoy!

It’s January. Soup’s on.

French Onion Soup

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon butter (or olive oil)
5 medium onions (a mix of yellow and red is ideal), sliced
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 bay leaves
6 cups low-sodium beef broth (I like the Pacific Foods brand)
1/2 cup dry red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot)
4 or 5 sprigs fresh thyme
Freshly cracked pepper
4 slices of baguette or sourdough bread
1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese
Chopped parsley (optional)

Directions

1.  Heat the butter in a large stock pot over low heat.  Add the onions and salt.  Cover the pot and cook the onions over VERY low heat until very soft and caramelized, about 30 minutes.  (Most of this time they can be left unattended if the heat is low enough.  Check on the onions every 10 minutes or so to stir.)

2.  Add the bay leaves, broth, wine, and thyme.  Simmer on low heat for at least 15 minutes.  Season with pepper.  Discard the bay leaves.

3.  Preheat the broiler.  Divide the soup among 4 oven-proof bowls.  Top each with a slice of baguette and some cheese.  Broil until the cheese is melted and bubbling, about 3 minutes. Garnish with additional fresh thyme leaves or chopped parsley.

The first time I ever had burrata, I was out for a drink with a good girlfriend at a wine bar and we stumbled upon it on the menu. Intrigued by the idea of mozzarella infused with CREAM, we indulged. And wow. This is not mozzarella (and it’s not fresh mozzarella or bufala mozzarella either, although it looks similar to both). It’s a thin skin of mozzarella containing something even better, a creamy center that spills out when cut into. A-ma-zing.

This baked version makes an absolutely fantastic holiday appetizer, but be forewarned that it has a few extra steps involved (each totally worth it). Most importantly, make sure you FREEZE the ball of burrata the night before you need it so that it’s ready. You can also roast the tomato mixture the day before and store it in the fridge until you need it. With those two steps behind you, this goes together quickly and your guests will ADORE you.

Baked Burrata

Adapted from Cooking Light

Serves: 16

Ingredients:

1 (8-ounce) ball burrata
5 teaspoons olive oil, divided
1/2 teaspoon each, chopped fresh thyme & rosemary
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt & black pepper
3 large ripe plum tomatoes, halved
2 large garlic cloves, crushed
6 (14X9-inch) sheets frozen phyllo dough thawed
Cooking Spray
Toasted baguette slices

Directions

Early in Day or Night Before: Unwrap burrata; gently pat dry.  Wrap burrata in several layers of plastic wrap to preserve the “ball” shape.  Freeze 8 hours or until completely frozen.

1. Preheat oven to 425°.

2. Combine 2 teaspoons oil, herbs, salt, pepper, tomatoes, and garlic; toss to combine.  Arrange tomatoes, cut sides up, on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake at 425° for 40 minutes or until blistered and liquid almost evaporates. Cool. Chop tomato mixture.

3. Reduce oven temperature to 350°.

4. Working with one phyllo sheet at a time (covering remaining phyllo to prevent it from drying), lay one sheet on a flat surface, and coat with cooking spray. Stack another phyllo sheet at a slight angle over the first, and coat with cooking spray. Repeat the procedure with remaining phyllo and cooking spray, angling each phyllo sheet slightly over the previous sheet. Using a slotted spoon, spoon tomato mixture in center of phyllo stack, and discard any liquid. Unwrap burrata, and place frozen burrata on tomato mixture. Fold the phyllo edges over to enclose cheese and tomato mixture, pressing to seal. Turn ball over so the tomato mixture is on top, and place on a foil-lined baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Brush phyllo with remaining tablespoon olive oil.

5. Bake at 350° for 30 -40 minutes. Remove from oven.

6. Preheat broiler to high and then broil cheese ball 2 minutes or until golden brown. Serve immediately. Cut with a sharp knife and spread on toasted baguette.

I’m betting you have a party or two to attend this month, and you just might have been asked to bring “an appetizer or dessert to share.” Yes? Okay good. No need to fret. Let’s get you set up to shine.

This recipe has all the savory goodness of wild mushrooms, shallots, goat cheese, fresh herbs, and sherry giving it high impact flavor. And yet, it leverages premade phyllo cups (you’ll find them in the freezer aisle) to keep it simple. You can whip up the filling before you leave the house , but if you’re bringing this to a party, I would take the warm filling in a bowl and fill the shells when you arrive so they don’t get soggy.

Creamy Wild Mushroom and Goat Cheese Cups

Adapted from Cooking Light

Makes: 30 filled cups

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup chopped shallots (about 2 large)
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh sage
3/8 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pound exotic mushrooms (such as shiitake, cremini, and oyster) chopped
1 1/2 Tablespoons minced garlic
1/3 cup dry sherry
1 teaspoon lower-sodium soy sauce
3 Tablespoons light sour cream
3 Tablespoons half-and-half
2 ounces goat cheese (about 1/4 cup)
2 (2.1 ounce) packages frozen mini phyllo shells thawed (30 shells)
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Directions

1. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Add oil to pan; swirl to coat.  Add shallots, and saute 1 minute.  Add sage, 1/4 teaspoon salt, pepper, and mushrooms; saute 4 minutes.  Add garlic, and saute until mushrooms are lightly browned and liquid almost evaporates (about 5 minutes).  Stir in sherry and soy sauce; cook for 30 seconds or until liquid almost evaporates.  Place mushroom mixture in a medium bowl.  Stir in the remaining 1/8 teasp0on salt, sour cream, half-and-half, and goat cheese.  Spoon about 2 teaspoons mushroom mixture into each phyllo shell.  Garnish with fresh chives.