Onion Soup with Parmigiano and Cracked Pepper

From "The Cook and the Gardener" , a wonderful recipe that doesn't remotely resemble the -soggy raft of bread tied to a bowl with bad cheese-that many people call Onion Soup.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons butter
• 4 -5  tablespoons olive oil
• 8  medium onions, thinly sliced
•  coarse salt
• 5  cups  chicken stock (I use a pareve mix to keep this recipe kosher)
• 1⁄2 cup  freshly grated parmigiano
• 5  black peppercorns
• 3  white peppercorns
• 3  coriander seeds
• 1  pinch  freshly grated nutmeg
• 1  clove garlic
• 4  slices  dry  crusty bread

Directions

1. Warm the butter and 2 tbl.
2. olive oil over low heat and add onion and a bit of salt Cook slowly until the onion is meltingly soft (about 12-15 minutes).
3. Add the stock.
4. Taste and adjust seasoning.
5. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes Meanwhile, sprinkle the cheese in the bottom of 4 soup bowls.
6. Crack the peppercorns and coriander seeds, then place them in a plastic bag and finely crush with a heavy sauceman or meat mallet Sprinkle this over the cheese along with the nutmeg.
7. Rub the garlic over the bread and brush the slices with remaining olive oil on both sides Heat a dry saute pan over medium heat until very hot and add the bread until brown on both sides Break the bread into small pieces.
8. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve with bread pieces.