French Onion Soup Recipe

French Onion Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

• 5 large onions, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 cups beef stock
• 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 baguette, sliced
• 1 1/2 cups grated Gruyère cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Caramelize the Onions:
   • In a large pot, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat.
   • Add onions and stir until they are well-coated with the butter mixture.
   • Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are caramelized and a deep golden brown, about 30-40 minutes.
   • Sprinkle sugar over the onions during the last 10 minutes to help with the caramelization.
2. Make the Soup:
   • Add minced garlic to the onions and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
   • Pour in the beef stock and white wine, if using. Add the bay leaf and thyme.
   • Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 30 minutes.
   • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Prepare the Cheese Croutons:
   • Preheat your broiler.
   • Place slices of baguette on a baking sheet and toast under the broiler until golden, about 1-2 minutes per side.
   • Remove from the oven and sprinkle grated Gruyère and Parmesan cheese over the toasted baguette slices.
   • Return to under the broiler and broil until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
4. Serve:
   • To serve, ladle the hot soup into bowls.
   • Top each bowl with one or two cheesy croutons.
   • Sprinkle with a little more thyme or freshly ground pepper if desired.

This soup offers a comforting and satisfying meal, especially during the colder months, with its rich flavors and hearty ingredients. Enjoy!