JULIA'S EXCELLENT FRENCH ONION SOUP

Julia's Excellent French Onion Soup image

This is the best French onion soup you'll ever taste! I've added bacon and use Gruyere cheese for a unique boost of flavor. This one's a meal in itself.

Provided by Julia

Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Soup Recipes Vegetable Soup Recipes Onion Soup Recipes French Onion Soup Recipes

Time 1h15m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

½ pound bacon
2 ½ pounds chopped onion
½ pound sweet onions
½ cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
8 cups beef stock
¼ cup cooking sherry
4 slices toasted French bread
4 slices Gruyere cheese

Steps:

In a large skillet over medium high heat, fry the bacon for 15 minutes, or until crisp. Transfer bacon to paper towels but leave the grease in the skillet.
Reduce heat to medium, add the onions and saute in the bacon grease for about 15 minutes, or until translucent and tender. Stir in the wine and the thyme and simmer for 5 more minutes. Add the salt and ground black pepper.
Preheat oven to broil.
Then pour in the beef stock, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes. Crumble the bacon, reserve 4 tablespoons and add the rest to the soup.
Place 1 tablespoon of sherry into each of 4 individual oven-safe bowls. Lay a slice of bread into each bowl, then ladle the soup into each bowl. Top with the cheese and sprinkle with the remaining bacon.
Place in the oven and broil for about 3 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. (Note: Be careful when removing the bowls as they will be hot.)

Nutrition Facts : Calories 716.8 calories, Carbohydrate 57.7 g, Cholesterol 69.8 mg, Fat 37.7 g, Fiber 8 g, Protein 30.1 g, SaturatedFat 14.8 g, Sodium 2755.5 mg, Sugar 21.4 g