1 oz dried porcini mushrooms or dried mushroom blend
1/4 cup hot water
1/4 cup red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon preferably)
1 qt beef stock
kosher salt and pepper to taste
1 bay leaf
6–8 sprigs fresh thyme stems
1 French baguette
5 oz shredded Gruyere cheese
5 oz shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Boil water, place dried mushrooms in a heat safe bowl and pour the water over to cover. Allow to steep while you prepare the other ingredients
Peel the onions, quarter and slice into very thin strips
Peel and mince the garlic
Place a large stock pot on the stove, set to medium low heat and add the butter
Once the butter is melted, add the onions and garlic, stir to coat in butter and allow to cook, stirring every few minutes, until the onions have softened.
While the onions sweat, cut the baguette into half inch circles and set aside. Grate the cheeses and set aside
Once the onions have released their cooking liquid and become translucent, which will take about 10 minutes, stir in the demi-glacé
Squeeze the mushrooms of any excess water and chop finely, then add them to the stock pot along with the liquid and red wine and cook for another couple of minutes before adding the thyme, bay leaf, pinch of salt and pepper and the beef broth
Allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes, taste and add salt and pepper as needed
Place your oven to broil, sprinkle a generous amount of cheese on the baguette slices and broil for one to two minutes or until the cheese bubbles
Remove, spoon soup into bowl evenly and top with cheesy baguette slices. Serve immediately