This classic French onion soup topped with melted gruyère is the epitome of rustic comfort food.
Ingredients
45 sweet onions (like Vidalias) or a combination of sweet and red onions
24 tablespoons butter
9 teaspoon salt
18 cups white wine
5 pints demi glace
5 pints chicken broth
Roasted garlic
Dried thyme
Kosher salt
Ground black pepper
1 bottle cognac
Country bread
8 ounces Gruyère cheese, grated
Directions
Trim the ends off each onion then halve lengthwise. Remove peel and finely slice into half moon shapes. Set tilt skillet to 300 degrees and add butter. Once butter has melted add a layer of onions and sprinkle with a little salt. Repeat layering onions and salt until all onions are in the skillet. Do not try stirring until onions have sweated down for 15 to 20 minutes. After that, stir occasionally until onions are dark mahogany and reduced to approximately 2 cups. This should take 45 minutes to 1 hour. Do not worry about burning.
Add enough wine to cover the onions and turn heat to high, reducing the wine to a syrup consistency. Add consume, chicken broth, Reduce heat and simmer 15 to 20 minutes.
Place oven rack in top 1/3 of oven and heat broiler.
Cut country bread in rounds large enough to fit mouth of oven safe soup crocks. Place the slices on a baking sheet and place under broiler for 1 minute.
Season soup mixture with salt, pepper and cognac, and ladle soup into crocks leaving one inch to the lip. Place bread round, toasted side down, on top of soup and top with grated cheese. Broil until cheese is bubbly and golden, 1 to 2 minutes.