French Onion Soup

Peel onions, slice thinly (about 5 cups).

Put butter in a 4-quart saucepan; heat over moderately high heat until butter melts.

Add onions and pepper to butter.

Saute onion mixture, stirring often until onions are a light golden brown.

Sprinkle onions with flour; stir until all traces of flour disappear.

Cook 1 minute longer, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat. Gradually add beef broth, stirring onion mixture all the time; stir in water and bay leaf.

Return to moderately high heat. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring constantly.

Reduce heat to low. Cook onion soup, uncovered, for 30 to 40 minutes.

Discard bay leaf; add salt and pepper to taste.