French Onion Soup

INGREDIENTS

• 3 Tbsp butter
• 7 medium onions cut in half lengthwise and sliced thin
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 4 c water
• 1 can (14.5oz) beef broth
• 1/4 tsp thyme
• 4 slices French bread
• 4 oz Swiss or Gruyere cheese, shredded

PREPARATION

1. In skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Add onions and salt, cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are very tender and begin to caramelize--about 45 minutes.
3. Reduce heat to low and cook stirring frequently, until onions are deep golden brown--about 15 more minutes.
4. Transfer onions to soup pot and add 1/2 cup water to the onion skillet. Heat to boiling over high heat, scraping browned bits.
5. Pour skillet water into in pot. Add broth, thyme and the remaining 3.5 cups water.
6. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until onions are very tender, about 30 minutes.
7. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 475. Arrange bread slices on cookie sheet and bake until toasted, about 5 minutes.
8. Place 4 oven-proof bowls in jelly-roll pan.
9. Ladle soup into bowls and top with toasted bread gently pressing toast into soup.
10. Sprinkle evenly with cheese. Bake until cheese has melted and begins to brown about 12-15 minutes.

-- JMagGuthrie - 17 Oct 2010