French Onion Soup

Satisfying and comforting on a cold day!  This soup has very few ingredients, making is affordable, easy to make, and healthy!

• 2 Tbls butter
• large pinch sugar
• 3 lbs onions, VERY thinly sliced (I use 3 large red onions and 2 large yellow or Vidalia onions)
• 6 cups low sodium beef broth
• pinch thyme
• Sherry, to taste
• loaf French bread, cubed
• Olive oil spray
• shredded Swiss or Gruyere, about 3/4 cup

1. Melt the butter in a heavy pot, such as a Dutch oven
2. Dump in the onions and sprinkle on the sugar (the sugar isn't to sweeten, it aides in the carmelization process)
3. Stir the onions, and then let cook for approximately 1 hour  on medium-low heat or until onions reduce and are carmelized (Don't stir constantly because the onions won't carmelize, but be careful not to burn them by forgetting about them)
4. Add in the broth, thyme, and sherry to taste
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and let simmer for 1-2 hours
6. To serve, put the bread cubes on a nonstick sheet pan and spray lightly with olive oil
7. Sprinkle on as much cheese as you like and broil until cheese is melted and brown
8. Serve soup in a bowl with cheesey croutons on top!