Uncle Bills French Onion Soup Recipes

THE BEST FRENCH ONION SOUP

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a very large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add the onions, bay leaves, thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and a few grinds black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are very soft and light golden-brown, about 1 hour. (The onions will begin to stick to the bottom of the pan and turn brown after about 30 minutes; just keep scraping them up and stirring them into the rest of the onions. If they are browning to quickly, lower the heat.)
• Add the wine to the pot, bring to a simmer and cook until it has almost completely evaporated, about 4 minutes. Add the beef broth and 1 cup of water, bring to a simmer and cook until the flavors come together and the soup is rich, about 45 minutes. Remove the bay leaves. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Keep the soup warm on a low burner or cool completely and refrigerate to reheat later. (The soup can be refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 1 month.)
• Preheat the broiler. Place four soup crocks on a rimmed baking sheet and fill them about 3/4 of the way with hot soup. Float a slice of baguette on top of each and cover with 1/2 cup Gruyere. Broil until the Gruyere is golden brown (don't be alarmed if some soup bubbles out), 2 to 3 minutes.

UNCLE BILL'S FRENCH DIP AND ROAST BEEF SANDWICH

Steps:

• Process dry onion soup mix in a coffee grinder until fine.
• In a one quart microwave safe casserole dish or glass measure, add water, instant beef bouillon and dry onion soup mix.
• Microwave on HIGH (full power) for 4 to 5 minutes until mixture has fully dissolved, stirring at least once.
• Remove, cover and set aside to keep hot.
• If you are using your own cooked roast beef, use an adjustable mandoline set on very thin, slice the amount of meat as required. You may also use a very sharp knife to slice the meat very thin.
• If you desire the meat warm, place the thinly sliced meat on a micro-safe plate, cover with a paper towel and microwave on MEDIUM-HIGH for 1 to 2 minutes or until meat is just warm.
• Cut buns partialy through lengthwise, leaving a hinge.
• Butter each piece and spread some horseradish over each half.
• Layer warmed sliced beef into buns; about 1/4 pound for each bun.
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• Close sandwich bun and place on individual plates and cut sandwich in half.
• Pour beef broth mixture into individual small bowls.
• Dip sandwich into beef broth mixture and enjoy.