French Onion Soup: A Classic Comfort Dish

French Onion Soup is a timeless dish that captures the essence of French culinary tradition. Known for its deeply caramelized onions, rich beef broth, and bubbling layer of melted cheese over crusty bread, this soup is the epitome of comfort food. Its balance of sweet, savory, and cheesy flavors makes it a perfect starter or even a meal on its own. Let’s dive into a detailed, step-by-step guide to making this classic dish.

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Ingredients (Serves 4-6)

For the Soup:

• Yellow onions – 6 large, thinly sliced
• Unsalted butter – 3 tablespoons
• Olive oil – 2 tablespoons
• Garlic – 2 cloves, minced
• Sugar – 1 teaspoon (optional, to enhance caramelization)
• All-purpose flour – 2 tablespoons (for thickening)
• Dry white wine – ½ cup
• Beef stock – 6 cups (high-quality or homemade)
• Bay leaf – 1
• Fresh thyme – 2-3 sprigs (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper – to taste

For the Topping:

• Baguette slices – 8-12 slices, toasted
• Gruyère cheese – 1 ½ cups, grated
• Parmesan cheese – ½ cup, grated (optional, for extra flavor)