French Onion Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 to 5 large onions
3 Tbsp. butter
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 Tbsp. flour
3 cans (10 3/4 oz. size) beef broth, undiluted
3 c. water
1 bay leaf
salt and pepper
6 to 8 slices French bread
2 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese
1 c. grated Swiss or Gruyere

Preparation

Peel onions and thinly slice.
Put butter in 4-quart saucepan and heat until melted.
Add onions and black pepper.
Saute until tender and golden brown.
Sprinkle with flour and stir until flour disappears.
Cook 1 minute longer, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat.
Gradually add beef broth, stirring constantly.
Stir in water and bay leaf.
Return to heat and bring to boil, stirring constantly.
Reduce heat to low and cook soup, uncovered, for 30 to 40 minutes.