Not At All Classic Onion Soup

5 tablespoons unsalted butter -- divided

3 cups onions -- thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic -- minced (large

-- cloves) 3/4 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 teaspoon salt -- or to taste

1 1/2 cups chicken stock

1/2 cup dry white wine

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups milk -- warmed

1 1/2 cups Emmenthaler cheese -- grated

2 tablespoons kirsch

1/2 teaspoon prepared white horseradish

salt -- to taste black pepper -- freshly ground, to -- taste 1 grate nutmeg -- up to 2

1. Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan. Add the onions, garlic,mustard and salt. Cook over low heat until the onions are translucent, about 15-20 minutes; don't let them or the garlic brown. This soup isn't supposed to taste brown.

2. Add the chicken stock and wine. Cover the an and let it simmer over low heat.

3. Meanwhile, in another medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons butter. Whisk in the flour all at once and cook it for 1 minute, whisking constantly. Then turn the heat way, way down and whisk in the milk. Cook this mixture, whisking constantly, until it makes a smooth, thick sauce. Add the cheese, kirsch and horseradish and whisk till combined. Now you have a cheese sauce. Add it to the onions and mix thoroughly. Add salt and pepper to taste, grate in a little nutmeg and cook the soup over low heat for 10 minutes. Stir it often. Then serve it.

Notes: From Ann Hodgman's BEAT THIS! COOKBOOK, 1993, Chapters Publishing Ltd., ISBN 1-881527-21-2, pages 141-142.