DUTCH OVEN FRENCH ONION SOUP

Dutch Oven French Onion Soup image

Provided by Gail Springsteen

Categories Soups

Number Of Ingredients 8

6 Tbsp butter
8 medium onions, sliced thinly
4 sprig(s) fresh thyme, leaves stripped
1/2 c sherry
6 c brown chicken stock or beef stock (i used beef for a heartier flavor)
salt and pepper to taste
french bread croutons or slices of french bread
2 c gruyere or mozzarella cheese, grated or sliced.

Steps:

1. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, add butter and melt over medium heat. Add the onions and lower the heat to medium low. Add the thyme leaves and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions start to turn golden brown, about 25 minutes. Add the sherry and cook until the sherry is almost completely evaporated and the unions are brown; about 15 minutes.
2. Add the stock and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and simmer for 30 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
3. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
4. Ladle the soup into 8 oven-proof soup bowls. Place the soup bowls on a baking sheet. Place the croutons or French bread on top of the soup to cover. Top each bowl with 1/2 cup grated cheese (or however much you want!) Place in the oven and cook until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly; about 10 minutes.