Ingredients
Beef stock
French onion soup
Method
Beef stock
1.Preheat the oven to hot (220°C). Place bones in a large baking dish and bake, uncovered for 20 minutes. Add vegetables and bake for another 40 minutes or until bones are well browned.
2.Transfer bones and vegetables to a large pan, add water, bay leaf and parsley, bring to the boil, then simmer, uncovered, 4 hours.
3.Strain stock through a fine sieve or muslin. Discard bones and vegetables. Refrigerate stock until cold. Skim solidified fat from the surface. Return stock to pan and boil, uncovered, until reduced to 1.5L (six cups).
French onion soup
4.Melt butter in a pan. Add onion and cook, stirring, 30 minutes, or until golden brown and soft.
5.Add wine and boil, uncovered, 2 minutes. Add stock, bring to the boil then simmer, uncovered, 30 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
6.Grill bread slices until browned on both sides. Sprinkle cheese on one side of toast and grill until cheese is melted and browned. Serve soup topped with toast slices and extra pepper, if desired.
If preferred, you can replace the homemade beef stock with store-bought.
Note
