Administrativia

• 1 1/2 pounds onions (2 to 3 medium onions), thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 3 teaspoons kosher salt
• 3 tablespoons clarified butter*
• 1 tablespoon sweet sherry
• 1 large Italian or French bread loaf, crusts removed, cut into 5 by 1-inch pieces
• 6 eggs
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon grainy mustard
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped thyme
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups grated Gruyere cheese

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

In a large skillet, saute the onions, sugar, and 1 teaspoon of the salt in the clarified butter over medium-high heat; stir constantly to prevent burning. Cook until golden brown. Add sherry and stir to lift any caramelized onion on the bottom of the pan. Remove from the heat and set aside.

Spread out the bread pieces evenly on a baking sheet. Place in the oven for about 5 to 8 minutes to dry the bread slightly but not to add color. Set aside to cool.

Whisk together the eggs, cream, mustard, thyme, the remaining salt, and pepper. Soak the bread in the egg mixture for 5 minutes. In a casserole dish, layer the bread with the onions and cheese. Pour the remaining egg mixture over the top.

Bake for 35 minutes or until the egg mixture is set.