Gratineed onion soup is an ultimate comfort food. Butter-soft, caramelized onions are cooked down into a rich, seasoned beef stock. Top it off with fresh garlic croutons and melted, bubbly Gruyere cheese and you have a rich soup, indeed. Add a small salad and a glass of wine to make it a meal.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Ingredients:
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 pound yellow onions, peeled, halved, and cut into 1/4-inch slices
- 3/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
- 10 cups good-quality beef stock
- 2/3 cup dry white wine
- Croutons and Cheese Topping:
- 12 (1/2-inch thick) slices baguette,
- 1 large clove garlic, halved
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups grated Gruyere cheese
- 6 ovenproof soup crocks
Preparation:
In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and oil together. Add the onion slices, sugar, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Cook the onions, stirring occasionally, for 30-35 minutes. The onions will turn medium golden brown. Add the flour to the onions and stir it through, allowing it to cook for about 90 seconds.
Turn the heat to medium-high and add the beef broth and wine. Bring the soup to a quick simmer, and then reduce the heat to low and continue simmering it, covered, for 30 minutes.
To make the croutons, broil the bread slices on low for about 3 minutes on each side. Don’t allow the bread to brown yet, just dry it out enough to give the surface a rough texture. Rub the dried bread on both sides with the cut side of the raw garlic clove, and then brush evenly with the oil. Return the bread to the broiler and toast it for 2 minutes on each side, until it turns golden brown.
Preheat the oven to 450F. Place the ovenproof soup crocks on a baking sheet for safety and easy handling. Ladle the onion soup into the crocks and place 2 croutons onto the surface of the soup in each bowl. Divide the cheese between the bowls, evenly sprinkling it on top of the croutons. Bake the soup, on the baking sheet, for 12-15 minutes, until the cheese becomes hot, slightly browned, and bubbly. Serve hot.
This French onion soup recipe makes 6 servings.
