Onion Soup with Cheese Toasts

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Prep Time:
1 hr
Total Time:
1 hr

To infuse the soup with the delicious taste of well-caramelized onions, be sure to cook them until they soften and turn a deep, dark golden brown.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 4 pounds onions (about 8), halved and thinly sliced

  • 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

  • Coarse salt and ground pepper

  • ½ cup port or Marsala wine

  • 2 cans (14.5 ounces each) reduced-sodium beef broth

  • 2 cans (14.5 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth

  • Cheese Toasts (see Directions)

Directions

  1. In a Dutch oven or other heavy 5-quart pot, heat butter and oil over medium. Add onions and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions have softened, 12 to 15 minutes.

  2. Uncover and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are dark golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes more. (If bottom of pot gets too dry, add about 1/4 cup water, and scrape up browned bits with a wooden spoon.)

  3. Add port, and cook until syrupy, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in broths and 2 cups water; season with salt and pepper, and bring to a simmer. Serve with Cheese Toasts.

  4. To make Cheese Toasts:
    Heat broiler, with rack set 4 inches from heat. Place 8 1/2-in-thick slices of baguette on a broilerproof baking sheet. Dividing evenly, sprinkle with 1 cup coarsely grated Gruyere cheese. Broil until cheese is golden, 2 to 4 minutes.

Cook's Notes

HEALTHY HABIT Satisfying soups don’t have to be high in calories or salt. Canned broth is usually low in fat, and the reduced-sodium variety still has plenty of flavor. TO FREEZE: Cool soup to room temperature. Pour into airtight containers, leaving 1 inch of space at top. Freeze up to 3 months. TO REHEAT: Thaw in microwave or overnight in refrigerator; then warm over low heat, and serve with Cheese Toasts.

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