Crockpot French Onion Soup

I'm a lover of French onion soup.....with Julia Child's recipe being hands-down the crème de la crème of this culinary delight.  There are probably more days where you just don't have the time to spend doing all those wonderful things to make her incredible soup.....but then there's this recipe which is all done in your crockpot.  I never did get that wonderful caramelization of the onions that the recipe calls for.....but, bottom line.....it's still a very good soup when you are pressed for time.  So here goes.....

Crockpot French Onion Soup
adapted from smashed peas and carrots

You'll Need

• 3 large onions, sliced (we like LOTS of onions) -or- 3 medium
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 (32-ounce) cartons beef broth
• French bread, sliced
• Swiss -or- Gruyère cheese, slices or shredded
• 4-5 teaspoons beef broth granules (see Note below)

Have your crockpot pre-heated on high.  Add the butter and let it melt.

Once the butter is melted, add the onions, and cover.

Cook the onions on high for 45 minutes to 1-1/2 hours, until they are nice and soft, and starting to caramelize (mine never got that nice caramel color).

Reduce the heat to low.

In a small bowl, mix together the flour, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, and pepper, until well blended.

Add the flour mixture and beef broth to the crockpot, and blend well.  Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.

Set your broiler on high.

Divide your soup among several oven-proof soup bowls.  Place a slice or two of the bread on top of each bowl of soup.  Sprinkle the cheese over the top of the soup.

Put your bowls onto a cookie sheet, and set in your oven.  Broil the soup until the cheese is melted.  Remove from oven.

Now you're ready to serve!

Note:  I found the soup to be a bit bland for my taste, so you are free to season accordingly.  I also added 4-5 teaspoons of beef broth granules to give the whole soup a beefier flavor.