Julia's Excellent French Onion Soup

The onions for this soup are sauteed in bacon fat which provides extra flavor and richness. White wine and sherry are added during cooking and the individual bowls of soup are topped with Gruyere toasts and placed under the broiler until the cheese is ho

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins
• Calories: 717 Calories

Ingredients

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

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to broil.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

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.)