French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, rich beef broth, and toasty bread topped with melted cheese, French onion soup is the ultimate comfort food. ➡️ INGREDIENTS 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 3 pounds Vidalia (or sweet) onions (about 5 medium), halved lengthwise and thinly sliced ¾ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper ¾ teaspoon granulated sugar 1 cup dry white wine 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 6 cups beef broth 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce ½ teaspoon dried thyme 2 bay leaves 1 small baguette, cut into ½-in slices 1 tablespoon dry sherry 8 ounces Gruyère cheese, grated (about 2 heaping cups; look for one imported from Switzerland) ½ cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano ➡️INSTRUCTIONS In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the oil, onions, salt, pepper, and sugar. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until onions are deep golden brown and caramelized, 45 to 55 minutes. In the beginning, you will only need to stir the onions occasionally. As they start to brown midway through cooking, you will need to stir them frequently, scraping the fond (the brown particles) from the bottom of the pan. If the onions are browning too quickly, reduce the heat slightly or add a few tablespoons of water to deglaze the pan and continue cooking.