french onion soup

Ingredients:





3 tbsp butter

1 onion- sliced very finely( 1cup)

2 flakes garlic- crushed

1 1/2 tbsp flour, salt to taste

black pepper powder to taste

4 cups stock



Stock:



2 carrots- chopped roughly

1 onion- chopped roughly

3 bay leaves

5-7 peppercorns

4-6 cups water



Cheese Toast for Topping:



5 tbsp grated cheddar cheese

1/2 tsp mustard powder

2 garlic bread slices or 1 slice of bread- toasted



Method:



1. To prepare the stock, boil all ingredients of the stock with 4 cups water. Cook covered for 10-15 minutes on low heat. Let it cool. Strain through a sieve. Keep the clear stock aside.

2. Heat butter in a clean, heavy bottomed deep pan. Fry the onions and garlic over a moderately low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until well browned. Do not let the onions burn.

3. Add the flour and cook for 1 minute on low heat.

4. Add the stock gradually, stirring continuously. Boil.

5. Add salt and pepper, and simmer for 5 minutes. Keep soup aside.

6. For cheese toast, mix the mustard powder and cheese together in a small bowl. Spread over the toasted garlic bread slices or regular bread. Grill the toasted slices in the hot oven for 2-3 minutes. Cut each garlic bread into 2 pieces or regular bread into 4 squares.

7. Serve steaming hot soup with one piece of cheese toast floating on top in each serving.