French Onion Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 to 5 large yellow onions
3 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
3 (10 3/4 oz.) cans beef broth (undiluted)
3 c. water
1 bay leaf
French bread
grated Swiss cheese

Preparation

Slice onions.
Melt butter in large saucepan on high heat. Add onions and pepper to butter.
Saute until mixture is golden brown, stirring often.
Remove from heat.
Gradually add broth, stirring constantly.
Stir in water and bay leaf.
Return to high heat and bring to boil, stirring constantly.
Reduce to low heat. Cook uncovered 30 to 40 minutes.
Discard bay leaf.
Salt and pepper if desired.
Put in individual soup bowls.
Toast slices of French bread.
Float on top of soup.
Sprinkle grated cheese liberally on toast.
Broil in broiler until cheese melts.
(Be sure to use ovenproof bowls.)
Serves 4 to 6.