Ingredients
-
8 tablespoons butter
-
1 tablespoon corn oil or 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
-
1/4 cup dry vermouth
-
6 ounces stale crusty French bread, cut into chunks
-
2 cups grated gruyere or 2 cups swiss cheese
-
3 eggs
-
2 cups half-and-half
-
salt & freshly ground black pepper
-
8 cups thinly sliced onions
-
1 garlic clove, split
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Melt 4 tablespoons butter with the corn or vegetable oil in a heavy pot.
- Toss in the onions, cover and steam over low heat for 15 minutes.
- Uncover the pot raise the heat to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions re deeply browned and caramelized.
- Pour in the vermouth and boil until the liquid cooks away, scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon all the while.
- Choose a shallow round 1 1/2-quart casserole dish Rub it thoroughly with the cut sides of the garlic clove.
- Discard the garlic.
- Toss the bread and onions together.
- Spread them in the casserole dish.
- Melt the remaining butter and pour over the bread.
- Sprinkle on the cheese.
- Beat the eggs slightly and beat in the half and half and salt and pepper.
- Pour the mixture evenly over the bread and cheese.
- Press the bread into the liquid with a spatula.
- (The dish may be covered and refrigerated overnight. Bring to room temperature before baking)
- Bake for 30 to 40 minutes until puffed and golden.
- Serve at once.