Easy French Onion Soup

Ingredients

• 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 4 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
• 1 cup dry white wine (optional)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 4 slices of French baguette or crusty bread
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese (or Swiss cheese)

Instructions

1. Caramelize the onions: In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20-25 minutes until they are soft and golden brown. Sprinkle the sugar over the onions to help them caramelize more evenly.
2. Add garlic: Once the onions are deeply caramelized, add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Deglaze with wine (optional): Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Let the wine cook off for about 3-4 minutes.
4. Add broth and seasoning: Stir in the beef broth, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring the soup to a simmer and cook for 20-30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
5. Prepare the bread: While the soup simmers, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the slices of French bread on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven for 10-12 minutes or until golden and crispy.
6. Assemble and serve: Once the soup is ready, remove the bay leaf and ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls. Top each bowl with a slice of toasted bread and a generous amount of shredded Gruyère cheese.
7. Broil the cheese: Place the bowls under the broiler for about 3-5 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
8. Serve hot: Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your delicious, homemade French onion soup!