Classic Onion Soup

By ginasheppard

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 large yellow or Spanish onion, halved and thinly sliced
• 1 large red onion, halved and thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup port wine
• 6 cups reduced-sodium beef broth
• 1 (2-inch) piece Parmesan rind
• Reserved bread from bread bowls or 4 slices sourdough baguette, about 1-inch thick and lightly toasted
• 8 slices Swiss cheese

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and preheat broiler.

Melt butter and oil together in a large stock pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onions and sugar and cook 10 minutes, until onions are tender and golden brown. Add thyme, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper and stir to coat. Cook 1 minute, until fragrant. Add port and simmer until liquid is absorbed. Add broth and Parmesan rind and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low, partially cover and simmer 20 minutes.

Remove bay leaves and Parmesan rind and ladle soup into oven-proof bowls. Place bowls on a baking sheet. Place reserved bread rounds or a sourdough round into each bowl and top bread with Swiss cheese. Broil 2 to 3 minutes, until cheese is golden and bubbly.