Five Star French Onion Soup

Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 1-2 minutes.

Add the flour and stir until well blended. Add the black pepper, bay leaf, and paprika. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture cook for 10 minutes.

While stirring, slowly add the beef stock and wine. Let the mixture simmer for 2 hours. Season to taste with salt. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool. Place in the refrigerator overnight.

When ready to serve, return the pan to the stove and heat over medium heat. Remove the bay leaf.

Preheat the oven broiler. Place 1 cup of the soup individual oven-proof soup bowls. Top each with a couple slices of French bread and then top the bread with a slice of Swiss cheese.

Place the soup bowls under the broiler and let cook for 5 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and browned.

Carefully remove the soup bowls from the oven and serve hot. Warn guests that the bowls are very hot.