Red Onion Soup

2 red onions chopped fine
3 cloves of garlic minced
4 cups water (or beef stock)
2 cups of dry red wine (I used a Liberty Creek cabernet small container)
     (could cut down to one cup, but what container had)
1 large red potato peeled and chopped small
1 tbs tomato paste
1 cup of green/slightly ripe cherry tomatoes (had on hand)
1 cup cilantro leaves chopped medium
1 cup parsley chopped medium
1 tbs dried oregano
2 tbs dried Spanish tarragon (do not substitute French tarragon)
2 tbs each of worchestershire sauce, fish sauce, and soy sauce or aminos
2 bay leaves
3 whole star of anise
2x4 inch cube of parmesan cheese rind cut in thirds (had on hand)
salt and pepper to taste
1/8 cup or less of corn starch slurry with water

Every once in a while I develop a recipe adapted from several places or perhaps from a desire to use up what I have in the fridge or cabinet. Who knows how these concoctions develop; I can't even tell you for sure. I just know that occasionally I hit upon something I really like and today was the day. Gary said he doesn't like onions or any onion soup. We shall see if he has a stamp of approval for this crazy creation tomorrow when I serve it to him.

Saute onions until translucent and starting to caramelize, next add the garlic and sautee for one minute. Then add the water and dry red wine. Stir in the peeled chopped red potato. Chop the green or slightly ripe tomatoes and add those. Add spices and bring to boil, cook off alcohol, then simmer for several hours. When ingredients are melded, add 1/8 cup of liquified corn starch or less to thicken soup (depending upon how thick soup is at this point). Stir contstantly till blended and soup is desired thickness.

Fish out bay leaves, star anise, and parmesan rinds. (If your parmesan rinds are soft enough, endulge yourself and eat them while correcting the spices in the soup; I did and they were so good). I was going to blend it up but decided not to. This soup is like a French onion soup. Serve hot in bowls topped with grated gruyere cheese and oversized dry bread croutons. The soup was delicious, how could it not be with all those ingredients. Sorry no other photos.