Classic French Onion Soup with Cheese Croutons

Ingredients

- 4 large onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1/4 cup vermouth
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
- 4 slices of baguette or crusty bread
- 1 cup Gruyère or Swiss cheese, grated

Instructions

1. Preparation:
- Peel and thinly slice the onions. Prepare all your ingredients so they are easily accessible for cooking.

2. Caramelize the Onions:
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt.
- Stir occasionally and cook for about PT40M (40 minutes), until the onions are deeply caramelized and a rich brown color.
- Sprinkle sugar over the onions halfway through cooking to aid in caramelization and add a slight sweetness.

3. Deglaze and Simmer:
- Increase heat to medium and add vermouth. Stir, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Add the beef broth, white wine, bay leaf, and thyme. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low.
- Season with black pepper and additional salt if necessary. Simmer uncovered for PT30M (30 minutes), allowing the flavors to meld.

4. Prepare Cheese Croutons:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place bread slices on a baking sheet. Sprinkle generously with grated cheese.
- Bake in the oven for PT10M (10 minutes) until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

5. Assemble and Serve:
- Remove the bay leaf from the soup. Ladle the hot soup into bowls.
- Top each bowl with a cheese crouton or serve the crouton on the side.
- Serve immediately for a comforting and satisfying meal.

Total Time

PT1H30M
1 hour and 30 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

French onion soup, Cheese croutons, Comfort food, Caramelized onions, Stove soup, Beef broth soup, Vermouth recipe, Gruyère cheese, Classic dinner, Soup for dinner

Recipe Yield

Serves 4 adults

Calories

Approximately 1200 calories for the entire dish

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