Traditional Onion Soup

Ingredients for 4 servings:

2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
4 medium onions peeled and sliced
2 tablespoons of flour
6 1/2 cups of beef stock
1/2 loaf of French bread cut in half lengthwise
2 cups of grated Swiss cheese in all
2 tablespoons of unsalted butter for layering
Pepper
3 tablespoons of breadcrumbs

1. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large saucepan, add onions and brown lightly.

2. Stir in the flour and when it begins to colour add the beef stock stirring constantly.

3. Cook over moderate heat uncovered for 15 minutes.

4. Toast the bread under a broiler and cut into thick slices.

5. Preheat the oven to 400F.

6. In an oven proof 5 quart dutch oven, place 1/3 of the bread, top with 1/4 of the cheese, 2 teaspoons of softened butter, and some black pepper.

7. Repeat step 6 two more times to make 3 layer of bread and cheese.

8. Pour the soup into the dutch oven, top with breadcrumbs and the remaining cheese, and place in the oven for 20 minutes or until the cheese and breadcrumbs have browned.