Recipe - Onion Soup 101

One half pound Smoked bacon; One half inch
pieces
3 pound Onions; thinly cut or sliced up (*)
2 tablespoon Fresh thyme; picked
8 cup Beef stock; preferably
homemade
One half cup Dry vermouth; or white wine
1 tablespoon Coarse salt
Black pepper; freshly ground
6 sl White countrystyle bread;
cut or sliced up 1/2" thick
1 tablespoon Dry sherry
6 ounce Gruyére cheese; thinly
shaved
6 Sprigs fresh thyme; for
garnish

* Note: Onions can be red, white, and yellow, making sure at least one
onion is of a sweet variety, such as, Vidalia or Maui)

1. In a heavy large pot over medium heat, sauté bacon until fat is rendered
and bacon is crispy, about 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel
to drain. Set aside.

2. Sauté onions and thyme in remaining bacon fat in pan until well
caramelized, stirring occasionally, about 25 to 30 minutes. Deglaze with
vermouth, and cook about 1 minute. Add stock, salt and pepper, to taste.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, make
croutons by toasting bread slices under broiler or in toaster, until
golden.

3. Heat broiler. Add One half teaspoon sherry, and one crouton to each soup
bowl. Sprinkle each crouton with 2 tablespoons of the reserved bacon. Ladle
soup into bowls and top with Gruyére and place on a baking pan. Transfer to
oven and broil until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Garnish with thyme sprigs.

NOTES : Downloaded by Kathy Hudson 10/15/97 from www.marthastewart.com and
formatted 11/24/97 for MasterCook.
Recipe by: Martha Stewart www.marthastewart.com

Posted to MCRecipe Digest V1 #922 by KHudson123@aol.com on Nov 25, 1997