French Onion Soup for the Holiday

Cooking onions until they are golden brown and caramelized lend incredible flavor to this classic broth-based soup. It's quick and easy to prepare, and a necessary member of a cook's repertoire for fall and winter meal-making. This version has the added benefit of being lighter than its restaurant counterparts, which are typically overflowing with toasted cheese. Although there's French bread already in this soup, serve some extra alongside to get every last drop.
nutrition facts Calories306 Total Fat (g)18 Saturated Fat (g)11, Cholesterol (mg)47, Sodium (mg)1023, Carbohydrate (g)24, Fiber (g)2, Protein (g)10, Calcium (DV%)18, Iron (DV%)6, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet Top ideas for dinner tonight: 30-minute (or less) spring dinners Quick and easy chicken dishes Garden-fresh entrée salads ingredients
1/4 cup butter 2-1/2 cups thinly sliced onions (2 large) 2 14-oz. cans beef broth 1/4 cup dry sherry or dry white wine 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 4 1/2-inch slices French bread, toasted 2/3 cup shredded Swiss, Gruyere, or Jarlsberg cheese directions
In a 3-quart saucepan melt butter. Add onion and cook, covered, over medium-low heat for 13 to 15 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Uncover saucepan; cook and stir onion over medium-high heat about 10 minutes more or until onion is golden. Stir in broth, sherry, Worcestershire sauce, and pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat broiler. Line a baking sheet with foil; arrange bread slices on baking sheet. Broil 4 to 5 inches from heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until toasted, turning once. Sprinkle with cheese. Broil for 2 to 3 minutes more or until cheese melts and is light brown. To serve, ladle soup into bowls. Top each serving with a bread slice. Makes 4 main-dish servings. French Onion Soup with Beef: Prepare as above, except add 1 cup chopped cooked beef with the broth. French Onion Soup with Mushrooms: Prepare as above, except add 2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms to saucepan in Step 2 before adding broth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat about 15 minutes more or until onion is golden and mushrooms are tender. Continue as directed.

And this is very good and perfect when the weather is getting a bit cold in the evening...