Ok, so maybe you're thinking, "Hot soup? In this weather?" but here at 'OZ we are thinking "Bastille Day with brandy, croutons and cheese." Even if Bastille Day has come and gone, you can still celebrate New Orleans' Frenchiness with this fantastic dish. This recipe is courtesy of Louisiana Cookin' magazine. If you like the recipe, then check them out!

Makes 8 servings.

Soup:

4 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 cups thinly sliced yellow onions
4 garlic cloves, peeled and left whole
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 cup brandy
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 quarts beef stock or broth
1-1/2 cups dry white wine
salt and black pepper, to taste

Croutons:

8 thick slices French bread
4 tablespoons butter, softened
4 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced

Gratinée:

8 ounces Gruyére cheese, shredded
8 ounces mozzarella, shredded
4 ounces freshly grated Parmesan cheese

For the soup, heat the butter and oil in a large, heavy pot over medium heat. Add the onions and increase the heat to high. Cook, stirring often, until the onions are golden and very soft, about 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium; add the garlic and sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes more. Mash the garlic with a fork. Carefully pour in the brandy and stir to loosen any brown particles on the bottom of the pot. Add the mustard, thyme, and flour and stir for 3 minutes. Gradually stir in the broth and wine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Simmer, uncovered, over medium heat for about 45 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350°F. To make the croutons, spread one side of each bread slice with 1-1/2 teaspoons butter and 1-1/2 teaspoons oil. Sprinkle with the garlic. Toast the prepared side on a baking pan until crusty and golden, 12 to 15 minutes.

Combine the cheeses for the gratinée. Preheat the broiler. Ladle the hot soup into 8 oven-proof soup bowls and fill three-fourths full. Float a crouton in the center of each bowl. Top each bowl generously with the cheese mixture. Broil about 6 inches from the heat until the cheese melts and is bubbly, about 4 minutes. Serve immediately.