Balthazar's French Onion Soup

I'm never been a big French Onion Soup fan, but being the amazing wifey that I am (wink wink), I decided to try this recipe out - it's one of John's favorite meals.  I found the recipe here and pretty much did everything below, however I did cut the recipe in 1/2 for just the two of us.  Also, I didn't have any port, so I think I used some kind of Cran-Grape juice I had in the fridge.  It turned out to be REALLY good - and I'm now a fan....although I may just like it because of the melted cheesy and bready goodness :)

Balthazar's French Onion Soup

Ingredients:

1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon olive oil
4 medium yellow onions, peeled, halved through the stem end, and sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 garlic clove, peeled and thinly sliced
4 sprigs of thyme
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
3/4 cup dry white wine
2 quarts chicken stock
1/2 cup port
6 slices of country bread, about 1 inch thick, toasted
2 cups Gruyere cheese, coarsely grated.

Directions:

In a 5-quart Dutch oven or other large, heavy pot, heat the olive oil over a medium flame. Add the onions and, stirring frequently to prevent burning, sauté until they reach a golden color, approximately 30 minutes. Add the butter, garlic, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper and cook for 10 minutes. Raise the heat to high, add the white wine, bring to a boil, and reduce the wine by half, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the chicken stock and simmer for 45 minutes.

Preheat the broiler.

Remove the thyme springs and bay leaf, and swirl the port into the finished soup. Ladle the soup into the 6 ovenproof bowls. Fit the toasted bread into the bowls on top of the liquid, and sprinkle 1/3 cup of Gruyere onto each slice. Place under the broiler for 3 minutes, or until the cheese melts to a crispy golden brown. Allow the soup to cool slightly, about 3 minutes, before serving.

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My pictures/steps are below!  I found my oven-safe bowls at Home Goods for just $3.99 each :)  These are also a great option too. 

once soup is finished, ladle into bowls....

bread slices added to soup...

mmmmm....cheese

after the broiler - perfection

ENJOY!

XOXO