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Trim and slice onions. (A 5lb. bag of onions should trim down to be just about exactly 4 lb.)
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Melt butter in a Dutch oven and add onions, 2 tsp. salt and the pepper. Let sweat down, over medium/high heat; stirring occasionally for about 1 hour. Do not stir for at least the first 20 minutes.
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Once the onions start to brown and caramelize, add wine and let the wine cook down for about 20 minutes. The wine should have the consistency of syrup, before adding the apple cider and Thyme sprigs.
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Continue to cook over medium/high heat for about 20 minutes.
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Pre heat broiler.
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Slice bread, toast under broiler on both sides and set aside until ready to assemble.
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Adjust soup seasoning. (More salt may be needed) and add 1 TBSP fresh Thyme leaves.
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Ladle 1 cup soup into French Onion Soup bowls.
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Cover the soup with bread and top with cheeses.
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Broil 5 – 10 minutes on second from top oven rack, until cheese is golden brown.
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Let rest 5 minutes before serving. This soup is very hearty, rich and silky. Serve with a bright crisp salad.