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Onion Soup with Cheese Toasts

WHY IT’S LIGHT French onion soup is usually capped with a molten crown of cheese, but each cup of this trimmer version is topped with a piece of cheese toast instead—a cup of cheese is enough for all eight servings. Well-caramelized onions are the true key to this soup’s appeal; be sure to cook them until they turn a deep golden brown.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 8

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 pounds onions (about 8 medium), halved and thinly sliced
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1/2 cup port or Marsala wine
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) low-sodium beef broth
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups water, plus more if needed
Cheese Toasts (recipe follows)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a 5-quart Dutch oven or other heavy pot, heat butter and oil over medium. Add onions and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions have softened, 12 to 15 minutes.

    Step 2

    Uncover and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are dark golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes more. (If bottom of pot gets too dry, add about 1/4 cup water and scrape up browned bits with a wooden spoon.)

    Step 3

    Add port and cook until syrupy, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in both broths and 2 cups water, season with salt and pepper, and bring to a simmer. Cook 20 minutes. To serve, divide among eight bowls and top each with a cheese toast.

  2. Freezing Soup

    Step 4

    Let soup cool completely, then pour into airtight containers, leaving 1 inch of space at top. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw in microwave or overnight in refrigerator and reheat over low.

  3. Nutrition Information

    Step 5

    (Per Serving)

    Step 6

    Calories: 261

    Step 7

    Fat: 11.6g (5.2g Saturated Fat)

    Step 8

    Protein: 10.9g

    Step 9

    Carbohydrates: 26.1g

    Step 10

    Fiber: 3.7g

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