Ben Bayly’s French Onion Soup

French onion soup recipe

From the kitchen of Origine, Ben Bayly's French onion soup recipe is a rich, flavourful broth that celebrates Franklin's world-famous longkeeper onion.

Serves 4 • Prep time 20 mins • Cook time 1 hour

Ingredients

500 g oxtail

1 onion, sliced

1 carrot, grated

1/3 cup of celery, chopped

50 g duck fat

1 kg onion, sliced

20 g fresh thyme

8 garlic cloves, minced

1 ltr beef stock

Method

1. The day before serving, preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the oxtail and sear each side for about 4-5 minutes, or until the oxtail is browned and caramelised. Set aside.

2. In the same skillet, sauté the onions, carrot, and celery for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are softened and slightly golden.

3. In a food-safe vacuum pack bag, place the seared oxtail and sautéed vegetables together. Seal the bag tightly to ensure no air remains inside. Cook the sealed bag overnight at 82°C.

4. The next day, into a medium bowl, carefully strain the liquids for the vacuum pack bag and set aside. Allow the oxtail to cool slightly before shredding the tender meat. Set aside.

5. In a large pot, melt the duck fat over high heat until it shimmers. Add in the chopped onions and sauté them, stirring frequently, until they start to caramelise. Reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook until the onions are golden and tender. Stir in fresh thyme and minced garlic, allowing them to cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.

6. Pour the strained oxtail broth into the duck fat mixture, stirring until combined. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

josh
Author: josh

Explore more Franklin Stories — people, places and experiences across the region

Featured Franklin stories...

Bill Cashmore Franklin

My Franklin – Bill Cashmore

Former Auckland Deputy Mayor Bill Cashmore was born and bred in Franklin District, with his family having been there since the late 1800s as sheep and beef farmers in the Hunua Ranges.

read more...
Kitchen Consequential

Kitchen Consequential

Connie ClarksonFounder of The Kitchen Project The Kitchen Project is cooking up something special in Franklin. The initiative is helping local foodie entrepreneurs turn their passion into their profession. With a training base in Pukekohe, the project provides a tasty...

read more...
Maraetai Beach in Franklin Auckland

Maraetai Beach

Tucked along Franklin’s eastern shoreline, Maraetai is a seaside township with a charm all its own. Its name, meaning “meeting place by the sea,” reflects its history as a gathering point, where rolling hills meet sheltered bays. With sweeping views across the Hauraki...

read more...
Duder Regional Park coastal walk in Franklin Auckland

Duder Regional Park

On Franklin’s eastern edge, Duder Regional Park stretches out into the Hauraki Gulf, a peninsula surrounded by sea and sky. It’s the first part of the region to greet each sunrise, as the day breaks across the water and the land glows gold. For early walkers, it feels...

read more...
Daily Goods Café in Pukekohe, Franklin NZ

Give Us This Day Our Daily Goods

Travellers into Pukekohe might be forgiven for making a few false assumptions about this relaxed street side café. Firstly, if they were after some kind of greasy fry up, they wouldn’t be disappointed. Not because they’d get it, but because they’d get something much...

read more...
Hūnua Falls Lookout Loop

Hūnua Falls Lookout Loop

Tucked into central Franklin, Hūnua Regional Park offers space for a range of activities, including fishing, horse riding, mountain biking and tramping. But, if you're interested in a quick visit that won't leave you as puffed, consider the Hūnua Falls Lookout Loop....

read more...