1. Cut the cheese into coarse pieces and peel the garlic cloves. Add everything to the blender along with the salt and oil.
2. Pour the mixture from the blender into a medium-sized pot and heat it over medium heat to a temperature of about 101°-104°C (213°-219°F), and maintain this temperature for the next 15 minutes. Stir occasionally, making sure the temperature remains steady and nothing gets burned.
3. Prepare a bowl large enough to fit a medium-sized pot, and fill it with cold water and a handful of ice cubes. Also, hang a fine sieve strainer over one medium-sized bowl and another fine sieve strainer, with a coffee filter inside it, over another medium-sized bowl.
4. Now, place the pot in the ice water and stir to cool the oil quickly. Once the oil is almost cold, remove the pot from the water and pour the oil into the prepared fine sieve to catch the coarse particles.
5. Then, pour the oil into the second sieve, which is equipped with a coffee filter, to catch the remaining finer particles.
6. Allow the oil to drip through for about 20 minutes or maybe less depending on how many remaining particles are in the coffee filter. Once all the oil has passed through the coffee filter, transfer the collected amount of oil into a sealable container or directly into an oil bottle. Store in the refrigerator for up to one week.

PREPARATIONS

• Peel the onions, halve them, and slice into thin half-rings.
• Peel the garlic cloves; they’ll be pressed into the onions later.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Melt butter and oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and sauté for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The goal? Dreamy, golden-brown caramelization. Yes, it takes patience, but trust me, it’s worth it.
2. Press the garlic through a garlic press and sauté with the onions for 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle the flour like fairy dust over the onions and stir well.
3. Pour in the white wine and let it cook down briefly. Add the beef broth, thyme sprigs, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. While the soup simmers, preheat the oven to its highest broil setting. Slice the baguette, butter one side, and sprinkle with a bit of garlic powder. Grate the Gruyère.
5. Once the soup is done, ladle it into ovenproof bowls. Place the baguette slices on top and generously cover with Gruyère. Broil for 5–10 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
6. Garnish with fresh thyme and a pinch of black pepper. Serve hot, grab a spoon, and get ready to impress yourself (and everyone else)!