Onion Soup

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour
Serves: 4Ingredients:

• 4 large onions, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
• 8 cups (1.9 liters) beef broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Baguette slices
• 2 cups (200g) Gruyère or Swiss cheese, grated

Instructions:

1. Caramelize Onions (Medium-Low Intensity):
   • In a large pot, melt butter and olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook slowly until they become golden brown and caramelized. This will take about 30-40 minutes.
2. Add Garlic and Sugar (Medium Intensity):
   • Stir in minced garlic and sugar. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the garlic is fragrant.
3. Deglaze with Wine (Medium-High Intensity):
   • Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Allow the wine to simmer for a few minutes.
4. Simmer with Broth and Herbs (Medium Intensity):
   • Add beef broth, bay leaf, and thyme to the pot. Bring the soup to a simmer. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Simmer for 20-30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
5. Toast Baguette (Medium-High Intensity):
   • While the soup simmers, preheat the oven broiler. Toast baguette slices until they are golden brown on both sides.
6. Ladle Soup into Bowls (Low Intensity):
   • Remove the bay leaf and thyme sprigs from the soup. Ladle the hot soup into oven-safe bowls.
7. Add Toasted Baguette (Medium-High Intensity):
   • Place a toasted baguette slice on top of each bowl of soup.
8. Top with Cheese (Medium-High Intensity):
   • Generously sprinkle grated Gruyère or Swiss cheese over the baguette slices, covering the entire surface.
9. Broil until Golden (High Intensity):
   • Place the soup bowls under the oven broiler until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
10. Serve (Low Intensity):
    • Carefully remove the hot soup bowls from the oven.
    • Allow the soup to cool slightly before serving.
11. Enjoy your Classic French Onion Soup! (Low Intensity):

Note: The key to a rich flavor is slow-caramelizing the onions. Use oven-safe bowls for the final broiling step to achieve a golden, bubbly cheese crust. This classic French onion soup is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for a cozy meal.