French Onion Soup is a rich soup made from yellow onions that have been caramelized and simmered in beef broth with simple spices. Top the soup with crusty bread and Swiss cheese for a simple meal.
Start by peeling and thinly slicing the onions. Be sure to slice them all about the same thickness. Place the onions and 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter into a large 6-8 quart pot over medium heat.
Cook the onions over medium heat, stirring occasionally until they are translucent and softened. This will take about 20-25 minutes.
At this point you will add an additional tablespoon of both olive oil and butter as well as the sugar and sea salt. Continue to cook and stir until the onions become a golden brown color. About another 10 minutes.
Add in the garlic and cook and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Pour in the beef broth, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, thyme and bay leaves.
Bring the soup to a boil, then turn the heat down to low. Cover the soup and allow to simmer for 30 minutes.
When the soup is done, remove the bay leaves and any other spices, fill a soup bowl with the onion soup and place 2 garlic bread slices on top of the soup. Top the soup with a slice of Swiss cheese. If you have oven safe bowls, place the bowl on a baking sheet and under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Another option is to use a kitchen torch to melt and toast the cheese.
For the bread
While the soup is simmering, slice a baguette into thin slices. Brush each side of the slice with olive oil, then place under the broiler for 1-2 minutes each side until golden brown. Remove from the oven and rub a peeled garlic clove on the bread on both sides.