French Onion Soup (Serves 4–6)

🧅 French Onion Soup (Serves 4–6)
🛒 Ingredients:
4 large onions (thinly sliced)
3 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp sugar (optional, helps caramelization)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 tbsp flour
1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
6 cups beef broth (or chicken broth)
1 tsp thyme (dried or fresh)
Salt & black pepper to taste
1 baguette (sliced)
1–2 cups grated Gruyère cheese (or mozzarella if needed)
👨‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Caramelize the onions
   In a large pot, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat.
   Add sliced onions and cook slowly for 25–35 minutes, stirring often.
   Add sugar (optional) and cook until onions are deep golden brown.
2. Add flavor base
   Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute.
   Sprinkle flour over onions and stir well (this thickens the soup slightly).
3. Deglaze & simmer
   Pour in white wine (if using) and scrape the bottom of the pot.
   Add broth, thyme, salt, and pepper.
   Simmer for 20–30 minutes.
4. Prepare the topping
   Toast baguette slices until crisp.
5. Assemble & broil
   Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls.
   Place toasted bread on top and cover with cheese.
   Broil for 2–5 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
   🔥 Tips:
   The key is slow caramelization — don’t rush the onions!
   Gruyère gives the most authentic flavor, but mozzarella works too.
   If you don’t have oven-safe bowls, melt cheese on bread separately and place on top.