FRENCH ONION SOUP WITH CHEESE CROUTONS

French Onion Soup With Cheese Croutons image

The onions may make you cry, but this soup will make you smile. The mix of two kinds of both mix with sherry and congnac make this soup yummy, but the Gruyere Croutons put it over the top.

Provided by Debbwl

Time 1h30m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

2 1/2 lbs yellow onions, halved, and sliced 1/4-inch thick (8 cups)
1/4 lb unsalted butter
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup medium-dry sherry
1/2 cup cognac or 1/2 cup brandy
1 1/2 cups dry white wine
4 cups beef stock
4 cups chicken stock
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
cheese crouton
1 small baguette, cut into 1/2-inch slices
2 1/2 cups gruyere cheese, shredded

Steps:

In a large stockpot on medium-high heat, saute the onions with the butter and bay leaf for 20 minutes, until the onions turn a rich golden brown color. Deglaze the pan with the sherry and brandy and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. Add the white wine and simmer uncovered for 15 more minutes.
Add the beef and chicken stocks plus salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. Remove the bay leaf, taste for salt and pepper.
*For the croutons*.
While the soup simmers, arrange the baguette slices in single layer on baking sheet and bake in a 400-degree oven until the bread is dry, crisp, and golden at edges, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
*To serve*.
Adjust oven rack 6 inches from broiler element and heat broiler. Set individual broiler-safe crocks on baking sheet and fill each with about 1 3/4 cups soup. Top each bowl with 1 or 2 baguette slices (do not overlap slices) and sprinkle evenly with Gruyère. Broil until cheese is melted and bubbly around edges, 3 to 5 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1008.7, Fat 35.3, SaturatedFat 19.8, Cholesterol 95, Sodium 2973.1, Carbohydrate 118.2, Fiber 7.1, Sugar 16.9, Protein 40.4