Vegetarian French Onion Soup

h_metts's Note:

My MIL keeps Kosher but didn't grow up that way - one of her favorite food memories from childhood was having french onion soup with her grandmother on Sundays in downtown St. Louis. I came up with this recipe to help her capture a childhood memory, in the process it has become a family favorite. Enjoy!

• Total Time: 4 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 4 hrs

Ingredients:

Serves: 14-16

Yield: 7.0 quarts

• 1/2 cup butter
• 6 cups sweet onions, diced (5-6 medium to lg onions)
• 4 (1 ounce) packages Lipton Onion Soup Mix (or house brand)
• 2 (32 ounce) boxes vegetable stock
• 1 (750 ml) bottle port wine (or any heavy red wine)
• 1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried garlic or 3 fresh garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 loaf French bread or 1 loaf Italian bread, thick sliced
• 2 cups grated gruyere cheese

Directions:

1. In a large saute pan melt the butter and add diced onions, cook until the onions are caramelized.
2. In an 8 qt crock pot mix all the ingredients together, put on high and let come to a boil - approximately 3 1/2 hours, then turn down to low and let simmer until ready to eat.
3. When ready to eat take sliced bread and put on a baking sheet cover with cheese and melt the cheese on the bread. Serve individual bowls of soup and then put the cheese bread on top of the soup ~ enjoy.