French Onion Soup

Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 tablespoon garlic-flavored olive oil
• 12 slices from thin loaf french bread (1/2-inch thick slices)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 large spanish onions, quartered, cut into 1/4-inch slices (2 1/2 pounds)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 9 cups reduced-sodium beef broth
• 3/4 cup dry red wine
• 3 tablespoons brandy
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup shredded gruyere cheese
• snipped fresh chives (optional)

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 375 degrees fahrenheit. with oil, brush both sides of bread slices (croutons); place on baking sheet. bake 12 minutes, turning once, until croutons are lightly toasted; set aside.
• 2 in dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. add onions and salt. cover; cook, stirring twice, until softened, 15 minutes. uncover; cook until lightly caramelized, 35 minutes. stir in flour, cook 2 minutes. stir in remaining ingredients except cheese. simmer, partially covered, 30 minutes. remove and discard bay leaf.
• 3 preheat broiler. ladle soup into 4 broiler-safe bowls; top with croutons and cheese. place bowls on baking sheet; broil 4 inches from heat until cheese is bubbly, 2 minutes. garnish.