Rustic French Onion Soup with Gruyère Crostini

Ingredients

• 4 large yellow onions thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 8 cups beef broth low-sodium
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 bundle fresh thyme tied with string
• 1 baguette French bread sliced into 1/2 inch rounds
• 1 1/2 cups Gruyère cheese grated

Instructions

1. 1 Melt butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. 2 Add sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are caramelized and golden brown, about 25-30 minutes.
3. 3 Sprinkle sugar over the onions and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Stir to combine.
4. 4 Add flour to the onions and stir well to coat. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.
5. 5 Pour in the beef broth and white wine. Add the bundle of thyme. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 20-25 minutes.
6. 6 While the soup simmers, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the baguette slices on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 5-7 minutes until lightly golden.
7. 7 Remove the thyme bundle from the soup and discard. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary.
8. 8 Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls. Place a toasted baguette slice on top of each bowl and sprinkle generously with grated Gruyère cheese.
9. 9 Place the bowls on a baking sheet and broil in the oven for 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
10. 10 Carefully remove from the oven and serve hot, with additional thyme for garnish if desired.