Instructions: Place broiler rack 6 inches from heat; turn on broiler.

Remove any visible fat from beef broth and pour into 4 1/2-quart Dutch oven or soup pot over high heat. Add chicken broth, sherry, Worcestershire, garlic and thyme. Stir well. Cover pot and bring to boil.

Meanwhile, place 4 oven-proof bowls on large baking sheet and set aside.

When broth boils, add caramelized onions and cover. Reduce heat to medium and boil 1 minute to incorporate onion flavor. Remove pot from heat.

Divide soup among 4 bowls and sprinkle each bowl with 1/2 cup croutons. Lay cheese slice over croutons. Sprinkle each cheese slice with 1 teaspoon Parmesan cheese (or more to taste). Place baking sheet under broiler 1 minute or until cheese melts. Using pot holders, serve at once, making sure to warn diners that bowls are very hot.

Makes 4 servings.

Per DD:
Description: "French Onion Soup - Fast! Secret is in caramelized onions, which are slow-cooked."
Start to Finish Time:
"0:10"

6 1/2 to 8 pts

Desperation Dinners Syndicated Column BY BEVERLY MILLS with Alicia Ross

NOTES : Make restaurant-quality French onion soup in 10 minutes? Youve got to be kidding! Thats what I thought, until our Easy Caramelized Onions transformed my life. There is a trick, but its a very easy one. At least a day before you want to make the soup, peel and slice half a dozen onions, throw them into a slow-cooker and drizzle a little olive oil on top. Go away and come back eight to 10 hours later. What youll find is beautifully brown onions, so full of flavor that all they need is a bit of broth, a splash of sherry and some cheese. Presto, you have Frantic French Onion Soup - which, by the way, doesnt taste frantic in the least. Last weeks column also featured Easy Caramelized Onions, so maybe you already have your stash in the freezer. If not, were repeating the recipe. Youll have enough onions for todays soup, plus a cup left over for another meal. Use the onions to top grilled steak, chops or chicken, or stir them into any casserole, stew or soup for a slow-cooked onion

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