French Onion Soup

• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 1/2 pounds onions, peeled, halved lengthwise, and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 7 cups basic brown stock (page 50) or white beef stock (page 42)
• 3 tablespoons cognac
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 baguette, cut into 16 rounds (3/4 inch thick)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 6 ounces gruyere cheese, grated on the large holes of a box grater (4 cups)

1. Caramelize onions Melt the butter in a medium Dutch oven or stockpot over medium-high heat.
2. Add onions and sprinkle with sugar.
3. (The pot will be quite full but the onions will cook down significantly.)
4. Cook, stirring only occasionally to prevent sticking, until onions are translucent, about 15 minutes.
5. Reduce heat to medium and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until onions have turned deep brown, 30 to 45 minutes more.
6. (If the onions are sticking to the bottom of the pot, or browning unevenly, stir in a tablespoon of water.
7. Adjust heat if onions are cooking too quickly or too slowly.)
8. Make soup Sprinkle flour over onions and stir to combine, then stir in wine and Cognac.
9. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
10. Cook 2 minutes, then stir in stock.
11. Partially cover the pot and cook until flavors have melded, 20 to 25 minutes.
12. Season with salt and pepper.
13. Meanwhile, toast croutons Heat broiler.
14. Spread bread slices on a baking sheet and broil, turning once, until lightly toasted, 2 to 4 minutes (watch carefully so they dont burn).
15. Brush both sides with the melted butter.
16. Broil and serve Divide soup among eight flameproof crocks or bowls.
17. Float two croutons in each crock and sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese.
18. Broil until cheese is melted and browned in spots.
19. Serve immediately.

unsalted butter, onions, sugar, flour, brown stock, cognac, white wine, salt, baguette, unsalted butter, gruyere cheese

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/french-onion-soup-393697 (may not work)