The creamy onion soup recipe crafted by food maestro Chris Simpson, brought to life through food styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey and prop styling by Audrey Davis, is a simple-to-make delicacy that offers an explosion of flavor. The primary ingredients include easily accessible items like garlic, yellow onions, white wine, and chicken broth that blend to create a creamy soup with a rich, smooth mouthfeel.

The cooking process is predominantly hands-off, with the oven handling most of the work. The sharpness of ingredients like onion and garlic mellows as they roast, unveiling their sweeter undertones. Enhancing this effect is the addition of white wine at the end of the roasting process, which also serves to gravitate towards the caramelized bits giving the soup its distinct depth.

Following this, the onions are blended together with the chicken stock, before being crowned with heavy cream and a dollop or two of butter. The meal is then completed with a sprinkle of finely grated Parmesan cheese, adding a layer of subtle umami and nuttiness.

Simpson's creamy onion soup draws inspiration from the French onion soup - a dish that features caramelized onions swimming in a rich beef broth, topped with croutons and slices of nutty Gruyère cheese then broiled. The cream of onion soup is, however, creamier and richer due to the addition of heavy cream and butter. Simpson suggests vegetables stock to substitute chicken stock, making the soup a vegetarian-friendly option, and baking the croutons and onions simultaneously to save time.

To maximize enjoyment of this hearty soup, pair it with a classic California Chardonnay, like the Stonestreet Estate. Incase there are leftovers, they can be safely stored in an airtight container and refrigerated up to three days. The soup is best reheated over low heat and stirred occasionally until hot. If you wish to freeze the soup, it's recommended to do so before adding the cream and butter, in an airtight container up to three months. Thaw it, reheat it over low heat and add the cream and butter just prior to serving for the best result.

With easy-to-find ingredients and simplified cooking methods, this creamy onion soup is a treat that promises to delight. So roll up your sleeves, preheat the oven to 400°F, gather your ingredients, and it's time to make magic in the kitchen.