French Onion soup

4 large onions
3-10.5 oz cans condensed beef broth
4 tablespoons margarine
1 tablespoon flour
4 cups water
3 beef bullion cubes
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
swiss cheese
6-8 slices french bread

Melt margarine in dutch oven over medium high heat. When margarine is melted, add sliced onions and saute until onions are caramelized. Sprinkle onions with 1 tablespoon flour. and stir until all traces of flour disappear. Cook 1 minute longer, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Gradually add beef broth, stirring onion mixture constantly; stir in water and bay leaf. Return to moderately high heat and bring mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low and cook onion soup uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes. Discard bay leaf. Taste soup and add salt and pepper if needed. Pour soup into oven proof bowls and place on jelly roll pan. Toast french bread slices in a toaster or under the broiler until they are light and golden brown. Place toast slice on top of hot soup. Sprinkle toast with cheese. Place in 425 degree oven until cheese is melted

Number of Servings: 8

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user TIMETRAVELERS.