french onion soup

Prep time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 portions
Cook time: 1 to 1.5 hour
Can be frozen
INGREDIENTS
- 4 medium yellow onions
- 1 /4 cup butter
- 2 gloves garlic
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1/4 cup cognac
- 4 cups beef stock
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup gruyère, shredded
- 4 bread slices
TIPS and thoughts
- Change cheese to strong cheddar, swiss or asiago.
- Toasting the bread before putting it on the soup keeps it crunchy.
STEPS
- In a medium pot over medium heat, melt butter.
- Thinly slice onions and add to pot.
- Cook for 30 minutes stirring occasionally until onions are caramelized.
- Mince garlic and add to onion and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add bay leaves, chili flakes, cognac and beef stock
- Reduce to low heat.
- Add salt and black pepper to taste.
- Gently simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Toast bread
- Ladle hot soup into bowls.
- Top with bread and shredded cheese.
- Place in oven to broil for 5 minutes until cheese is golden brown.
- Serve immediately.