Browned-Flour Soup From Basel(Basler Mehlsuppe) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

7 Tbsp. butter
6 Tbsp. flour
7 to 8 c. hot water or beef stock
1 medium onion, stuck with 5 cloves
1 bay leaf
salt

Preparation

Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in heavy saucepan.
Stir in the flour; cook together over medium heat, stirring constantly with wooden spoon until smooth and the color of chocolate (takes about 7 to 10 minutes).
Do not let the mixture scorch.
Remove from heat; gradually add the hot liquid, stirring constantly until smooth.
Add onion, bay leaf and salt to taste.
Simmer over lowest possible heat, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour.
Remove onion and bay leaf.
Serve with grated Swiss cheese on the side.