This Slow Cooked French Onion Soup rivals the best restaurant soup and is an easy make-ahead meal. Perfect for a romantic Valentine dinner at home, it combines caramelized onions, a variety of flavorful ingredients, and is topped with melted cheese on toasted baguette slices.
1: In a large skillet or cast iron skillet, melt the unsalted butter over low heat.
2: Add all of the sliced yellow onions and cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes.
3: Reduce heat to low, cooking the onions for 35 to 45 minutes until they are golden, stirring occasionally.
4: After caramelizing the onions, place them in a slow cooker.
5: Cover with the beef broth, dry sherry, salt, pepper, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, fresh thyme, and bay leaf.
6: Set the slow cooker on high for 3 hours.
7: When ready to serve, preheat the broiler.
8: Brush the baguette slices with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan, if using.
9: Lightly brown the bread under the broiler, watching closely to prevent burning.
10: Place broiler-proof serving bowls on a baking sheet, remove the bay leaf and thyme stems.
11: Stir in Cognac and fill the bowls with the soup, leaving space at the top for the bread.
12: Top each bowl with a slice of toasted bread (or two for small slices) and about 1/2 cup of Gruyere cheese.
13: Place the baking sheet under the broiler, 4-6 inches from the broiler element.
14: Broil for 3-5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, watching carefully.
15: Garnish with fresh thyme leaves and serve immediately.
