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CLASSIC FRENCH ONION SOUP
 
recipe image
Prep Time: 0 Minutes
Cook Time: 0 Minutes
Ready In: 0 Minutes
Servings: 1
Ingredients:
soup
Directions:
1. This ultimate version of the bistro classic is made with homemade beef broth and caramelized onions. Aged Gruyère is key to getting the traditional bubbling crust of cheese; it's rich, smooth, and melts easily.
2. CooksClub members: Watch a video for step-by-step instructions on how to make this soup.
3. Serves 6-8
4. To learn more, read the article:
5. The Rules of Melting Cheese
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8. Gruyère
9. baguette
10. bay leaves
11. more
12. oz. (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, more for the baking sheet
13. medium-large yellow onions (about 2 lb.), thinly sliced (8 cups)
14. Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
15. tsp. granulated sugar
16. small baguette (1/2 lb.), cut into 1/2-inch slices
17. quarts Roasted Beef Broth or lower-salt canned beef or chicken broth
18. bay leaf
19. cups grated Gruyère
20. Melt the butter in a 4-quart pot over medium heat. Stir in the onions and season with 1 tsp. salt and a few grinds of pepper. Reduce the heat to low. Press a piece of foil onto the onions to cover them completely, cover the pot with a lid, and cook, stirring occasionally (you will have to lift the foil), until the onions are very soft but not falling apart, 40 to 50 minutes. Remove the lid and foil, raise the heat to medium high, and stir in the sugar. Cook, stirring often, until very deeply browned, 10 to 15 minutes.
21. Meanwhile, to make the croûtes (baguette toasts), position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F. Butter a rimmed baking sheet and arrange the baguette slices on the sheet in a single layer. Bake until the bread is crisp and lightly browned, turning once, 15 to 20 minutes. Set aside.
22. Add the broth and bay leaf to the caramelized onions and bring the soup to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for 10 minutes to blend the flavors. Discard the bay leaf and season to taste with salt and pepper.
23. To serve, position a rack 6 inches from the broiler and heat the broiler to high. Put 6 to 8 broilerproof soup bowls or crocks on a baking sheet. Put 2 or 3 croûtes in each bowl and ladle the hot soup on top. Sprinkle with the cheese and broil until the top is browned and bubbly, 2 to 5 minutes. Serve immediately.
24. make ahead tips
25. The soup and croûtes can be made up to 2 days ahead. Store the soup in the refrigerator and the croûtes in an airtight container at room temperature.
26. serving suggestions
27. Start with a Mixed Green Salad with Red-Wine & Dijon Vinaigrette and serve another French classic, Dorie Greenspan's Tarte Tatin, for dessert.
28. photo: Scott Phillips
29. From Fine Cooking 101 , pp. 66
30. September 3, 2009
By RecipeOfHealth.com