I think French Onion soup is my favorite soup of all time.  The KING of soups!  When I was a kid, I almost choked on a big glob of cheese while eating a cup in the mall, but now I am much more careful.  Smaller bites.  Chewing.

My favorite soups are ones that have a rich broth, not too many chunky onions, but enough so that the bread doesn’t absorb all of the liquid.  The cheese on top should be a lovely mixture of gruyere, gouda and mozzarella.  Never too much.

French Onion Soup

Ingredients

• 5 small onions, thinly sliced
• 2 cans (14 ounces) low sodium beef broth (recommended: Swanson’s)
• 2 cans (10 ounces) beef consomme (recommended: Campbell’s)
• 1 packet onion soup mix (recommended: Lipton’s)
• 8 slices French bread, about 1 inch thick
• 1 cup shredded Gruyere

directions

1. Combine onions, broth, consomme, and soup mix in a slow cooker. Cook on HIGH setting for 4 hours, or LOW setting for 8 hours.
2. Ladle soup into serving bowls. Top with a slice of French bread. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons cheese over each bread slice. Put soup bowls under broiler until cheese is melted. Alternatively, place the bread on a baking sheet and top with cheese; broil until cheese has melted, about 30 to 40 seconds, and set on top just before serving.

*adapted from Sandra Lee