BAKED FRENCH ONION AND STEAK SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Use 2 teaspoons olive oil to coat the bottom of a stainless steel oven-safe frying pan.
• Lightly salt and pepper the steak on both sides; place in skillet with the oil.
• Pour Worcestershire sauce over steak and add 1/2 cup water into bottom of pan.
• Place the pan in oven and bake for 30 minutes.
• Remove the pan from oven.
• Transfer steak to cutting board.
• Reduce oven heat to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Remove the fat and bone from the meat.
• Return fat and bone to pan with the drippings still in it.
• Add 4 cups water.
• Heat to boiling and scrape any bits from bottom of the pan.
• Boil for about 15 minutes.
• In another stockpot melt 3 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil. add onions.
• Reduce heat to medium-low and cook slowly, stirring often, for 15 minutes or until onions are translucent.
• Chop the cooled steak in small pieces and add to onion.
• Sprinkle flour over the meat and onions and mix through.
• Strain the liquid in the pan into the onions in the stock pot.
• Add remaining water; add the beef base.
• Cover and reduce heat to medium low; simmer for 15 minutes.
• CROUTONS: Melt the butter with the garlic clove in a small saucepan and cook on low 5 minutes.
• Brush both sides of French bread slices.
• Place in 250 degree Fahrenheit oven for 15 minutes.
• Turn over and cook another 15 minutes.
• Remove and let cool slightly.
• Cut each into 6 pieces.
• Place 4 or 5 croutons in soup crocks; ladle soup over.
• Top with a slice of provolone cheese and a generous sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
• Place under broiler until cheese is melted and starts to brown.