French Onion Soup

5 medium onions
3 tbsp/45 mL butter or margarine
1-1/2 quarts/liters water
1/4 cup/60 mL Watkins Beef Soup Base
3 tbsp/15 mL Watkins Onion Soup Base
1/4 tsp/1.2 mL Watkins Black Pepper
Pinch of Watkins Cayenne Pepper
Pinch of Watkins Thyme
6 slices French bread
Butter or margarine
1 cup/250 mL (4 oz/113 g)
shredded Swiss cheese,
preferably Gruyère

Peel and thinly slice onions.
Heat the 3 tbsp/45 mL butter in
a heavy 3-quart/liter saucepan
over low heat; add onions and
cook slowly, stirring until golden
in color, about 10 minutes. Gradually blend in water,
soup bases, and seasonings. Bring to a boil; cover
and simmer about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, toast one
side of bread under broiler until golden brown. Butter
untoasted side and sprinkle slices with 1/4 cup/60 ml
cheese; broil until cheese is melted. To serve, place
hot soup into oven-proof bowls or mugs; float French
bread slices on top. Sprinkle with remaining cheese;
broil until cheese is bubbly and brown. Serves 6.