APPLE, SAGE, AND ONION SOUP WITH CHEDDAR-BACON CROUTONS

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
• Add the onions, apples, and 1/2 teaspoon salt and stir thoroughly to coat the onions and apples in the butter.
• Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions and apples are deeply caramelized, and the bottom of the pot is coated with a dark brown crust, about 30 minutes.
• Stir in the chicken broth, beef broth, wine, and bay leaf.
• Bring to a boil and scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to loosen the brown crust.
• Simmer for 20 minutes to blend flavors.
• Discard the bay leaf and season with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Adjust the oven rack to the upper-middle position and heat the broiler.
• Combine the cheese and bacon in a bowl and stir to distribute evenly.
• Place oven-proof soup crocks on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Stir the chopped sage into the simmering broth.
• Fill each crock almost to the top with soup.
• Top each crock with 2 baguette slices and sprinkle with some of the cheese-bacon mixture.
• Place the baking sheet in the oven and broil until the cheese is bubbling and well browned, 2 to 4 minutes.
• Watch the soup carefully, because once the cheese is well browned it will quickly burn.
• Serve immediately.