French Onion Short Rib Soup with Gruyère Toast

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## **Instructions**

### **Step 1: Braise the Short Ribs**
1. **Season the short ribs** with salt and black pepper.
2. In a **large Dutch oven or heavy pot**, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the short ribs on all sides until browned (about 3-4 minutes per side). Remove and set aside.
3. In the same pot, sauté the **onions, carrots, and celery** until softened (about 5 minutes). Add the garlic and tomato paste, stirring for 1 minute.
4. Pour in the **red wine**, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Let it reduce for **3-4 minutes**.
5. Add the **beef broth, thyme, and bay leaf**. Return the short ribs to the pot, cover, and simmer on low for **2.5 to 3 hours** until the meat is tender and falls off the bone.

### **Step 2: Caramelize the Onions**
1. In a large pan, melt **butter** over medium heat. Add the **sliced onions** and cook slowly, stirring occasionally.
2. After 10 minutes, add **sugar and salt** to help caramelize the onions. Continue cooking for **30-40 minutes** until the onions turn deep golden brown.
3. Stir in the **Worcestershire sauce and dried thyme**. Pour in the **additional beef broth** and let simmer for 10 minutes.

### **Step 3: Shred the Short Ribs & Assemble the Soup**
1. Remove the **short ribs** from the pot and shred the meat, discarding any bones.
2. Strain the **braising liquid** and add it to the caramelized onion soup base. Stir in the shredded beef and let everything simmer for another **15 minutes** to blend the flavors.

### **Step 4: Make the Gruyère Toast**
1. Preheat the oven to **400°F (200°C)**.
2. Brush **baguette slices** with olive oil and place them on a baking sheet.
3. Sprinkle **Gruyère cheese** on top and bake for **5-7 minutes** until melted and bubbly.

### **Step 5: Serve & Enjoy**
1. Ladle the **rich, beefy French onion short rib soup** into bowls.
2. Place a piece of **Gruyère toast** on top or serve it on the side.
3. Garnish with **fresh thyme** and enjoy the comforting flavors of this incredible dish!

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## **Tips for the Best French Onion Short Rib Soup**
🥩 **Choose good quality short ribs** – Look for **well-marbled** meat for the best flavor.
🧅 **Caramelize the onions properly** – This step takes time but creates a deep, sweet flavor that defines the dish.
🍷 **Use a good red wine** – A dry wine like **Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot** enhances the broth’s richness.
🧀 **Gruyère is the best cheese** – Its nutty, slightly sweet flavor pairs perfectly with the soup.

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## **Final Thoughts**
**French Onion Short Rib Soup with Gruyère Toast** is the ultimate **comfort food**—hearty, flavorful, and elegant. Whether you’re making it for a **special occasion** or just craving a bowl of rich, warm goodness, this recipe is sure to impress.

Try it once, and it might just become your **new favorite cold-weather dish!** 🍲🧀