French Onion Soup

from: marthastewart.com

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours
Makes 8 servings

10 medium yellow onions (about 4 1/2 lbs), halved, peeled and thinly sliced
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. dried thyme
Coarse salt and ground pepper
3 cans (14 1/4 oz each) chicken broth
3/4 cup dry red wine

For Cheese Toast (Optional)

4 slices toasted multigrain bread
4 oz. sliced swiss cheese

PREHEAT oven to 450 degrees. In a large roasting pan, toss together onions, oil, sugar, thyme, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cover tightly with foil; cook until steamed, about 30 minutes. Uncover; cook, stirring every 30 minutes, until onions are golden brown and caramelized, 1 to 1 1/4 hours more.

TRANSFER onion mixture to a large saucepan (reserve roasting pan); stir in broth and 6 cups water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until liquid has darkened, about 20 minutes.

DEGLAZE the roasting pan with wine: Place the pan over medium heat; add wine. Scrape bottom of pan with a wooden spoon or scraper to loosen any browned bits. Simmer until reduced and syrupy, about 2 minutes. Pour liquid (and browned bits) into soup. Season with salt and pepper. (If freezing, let cool completely before transferring to airtight containers, leaving 1 inch at top.)

MAKE the cheese toast: Heat broiler. Place bread on a baking sheet; top with Swiss cheese. Broil until cheese is bubbly and golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Cut each slice into four triangles.

TO serve, divide soup among bowls; garnish each with two triangles of cheese toast, if desired.

THIS soup can be frozen for up to three months; to serve, defrost, and warm on the stove, over low heat. The soup gets its rich taste from caramelized onions.