French Onion Soup

Serves 4
Prep Time 15 min
Cooking Time 30 min
Ingredients

• 4 Onions sliced
• 25g/1oz Unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 2 tbsp Plain flour
• 900ml/1 1/2 pints Beef stock
• 2 Bay leaves
• 150ml/1/4 pint Red wine
• Sprig Thyme or 1 tsp dried Thyme (optional)
• Salt and pepper
• 4 slices white bread
• 100g/4oz Gruyere cheese, grated

Method

• Heat the oil and butter in a saucepan
• Add onions and saute for 10 minutes
• Add flour and cook, stirring for 1 minute
• Gradually stir in stock and bring to boil
• Add bay leaves, thyme and seasoning
• Cover and simmer for 15 minutes
• Remove bay leaves
• Pour soup into 4 flameproof bowls
• Cut 4 circles from bread and place on soup
• Sprinkle with cheese
• Put into hot oven 240C/475F/gas 9 or under grill for a few minutes until cheese melts and bubbles
• Serve immediately

Variation

• Cheddar cheese can be used instead of Gruyere

Equipment

• Large saucepan

Shopping List

• Onions
• Bay leaves
• Gruyere cheese
• Red wine
• Bread