Onion Soup With Gorgonzola Toast

      3 lg Onions, chopped
      4    Garlic cloves minced
      3 tb Butter
      2 tb Flour
      1 ts Dried thyme leaves
      7 c  Rich beef stock
      1 tb Tomato paste
           Salt and pepper to taste
      2 oz Gorgonzola
      4 sl French bread, toasted

Onion soup is a classic example of caramelization as a flavour enhancer. This soup gets an added flavor boost from the garnish--a slice of gorgonzola topped bread. Cook onions and garlic in a large, heavy, covered soup pot over moderate heat until they release their moisture, about 10 minutes. Add butter and cook uncovered, until onions are a rich golden brown, about 15 minutes. Add flour and thyme and cook 5 minutes longer, stirring constantly. Add stock and tomato paste. Simmer for 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Place a 1/2-ounce slice of Gorgonzola on each piece of toast and run under the broiler for 1 minute, or until the cheese is bubbly. Ladle soup into warmed bowls and float a gorgonzola toast on top of each.

PER SERVING: 370 calories, 18 g protein, 41 g Carbohydrate 15 g fat (8 g saturated), 36 mg cholesterol, 501 mg sodium, 4 g fiber.
Yield: 4 Servings