Recipe for French Onion Soup

Ingredients:

1. 4 large onions (sweet or yellow onions work nicely) thinly sliced
2. Four tablespoons of butter without salt
3. One tablespoon of olive oil
4. One teaspoon of sugar, if desired, to aid in caramelization
5. Two minced garlic cloves
6. Eight cups (2 liters) of beef broth (or a combination of chicken and beef broth)
7. 240 milliliters (1 cup) of dry white wine (optional)
8. One teaspoon of dried thyme or two teaspoons of fresh thyme
9. To taste, add salt and pepper.
10. Sliced baguette
11. 200g, or two cups, of grated Gruyère cheese (or a Gruyère and Parmesan blend)

Directions:

Make the onions caramelized:

• Melt the olive oil and butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Stir to coat after adding the cut onions.
• Cook, stirring often, until the onions are golden brown and caramelized, about 30 to 40 minutes. To improve caramelization, add the sugar if you’d like.

Add the wine and garlic:

• Cook for one more minute after adding the minced garlic.
• Add the white wine, if using, and scrape out any browned bits as you deglaze the saucepan. Give it five minutes or so to simmer.

Add the herbs and broth:

• Add the thyme and the beef broth. To taste, add salt and pepper.
• To develop the flavors, bring the soup to a low simmer and cook for 20 to 30 minutes.

Get the bread ready:

• Preheat the oven broiler while the soup simmers.
• Line a baking sheet with the baguette slices, then toast them under the broiler until both sides are golden brown.

Put together and cook:

• Fill ovenproof dishes with the heated soup. Top each bowl with a slice of toasted bread and liberally scatter the grated cheese on top.
• For two to three minutes, or when the cheese is melted and bubbling, place the bowls under the broiler. Keep a watchful eye out to avoid scorching!

Serve:

• The bowls will be hot, so carefully take them out of the oven. Serve right away after letting them cool for a minute.

Have fun!

• A hearty classic, this French onion soup is ideal for warming up on a cold day. Savor the cheesy goodness and deep flavors!