OUR FAVORITE FRENCH ONION SOUP

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Our Favorite French Onion Soup image

Buy the best beef broth you can, or better yet, make your own for a rich, full-flavored soup. And if you don't have ovenproof bowls or ramekins for the soup, don't worry-you can just top your soup with melty cheese toasts.

Provided by Rhoda Boone

Categories     Soup/Stew     Onion     Kid-Friendly     Lunch     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     Frankenrecipe     Small Plates

Yield Serves 4 as a main (or 6 as an appetizer)

Number Of Ingredients 16

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 pounds Vidalia onions (about 4 medium), halved lengthwise, peeled, and thinly sliced
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups dry white wine
6 cups homemade beef broth or store-bought low-sodium beef broth
10 sprigs thyme
2 bay leaves
1 baguette
1 garlic clove, cut in half lengthwise
2 teaspoons sherry, preferably Fino or Manzanilla
4 ounces Gruyère cheese, grated (about 1 cup)
Special equipment:
kitchen twine, six 8-ounce or four 16-ounce oven-safe ramekins or bowls (optional)

Steps:

  • In a large Dutch oven or other large pot, melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add the oil and onions; cook onions are until softened, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Add the salt, pepper, and sugar; continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are deep golden brown and caramelized, reducing heat slightly if onions seem to be browning too quickly, 35 to 45 minutes more.
  • Add wine and raise heat to high. Cook until almost all liquid has evaporated, 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Tie thyme and bay leaves into a bundle with twine. Add broth and herb bundle to pot with onions. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook, uncovered, until broth is thickened and flavorful, 20 to 30 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  • Heat the broiler. Cut two 1/2-inch baguette slices for every serving of soup. Place baguette slices on a rimmed baking sheet and toast in oven until crisp and dry but not browned, about 1 minute per side. Rub one side of each toast with the garlic clove and set aside.
  • Place ramekins or ovensafe bowls on a rimmed baking sheet, add 1/2 teaspoon of sherry to the bottom of each, and ladle soup on top. Top each serving of soup with two garlic-rubbed toasts. Divide cheese among the servings, covering the bread and some of the soup. Carefully transfer baking sheet to oven and broil until cheese is melted and bubbling, 4 to 8 minutes. (Alternatively, if using regular soup bowls: Top each garlic-rubbed toast with some cheese and return to broiler to melt, about 2 minutes more. Divide sherry and soup among bowls, sprinkle with remaining cheese, and top each serving with two cheese toasts.)

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