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1
Don't even try to find this one on the menu at Applebee's, because it isn't there; though it's the most popular soup served each day at this huge restaurant chain.
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2
Just be sure you have some oven-safe soup bowls for this one, since we'll have to broil it a bit before serving.
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3
Add 3 tablespoons oil to a large soup pot or saucepan over medium/high heat.
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4
Add the sliced onions and saute for 20 minutes until the onions begin to soften and start to become translucent.
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5
You don't want them to brown.
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6
Add the beef broth, water, salt, garlic powder and black pepper to the pan and bring mixture to a boil.
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7
When soup begins to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes.
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8
To make the croutons cut off the top half of each top of the hamburger bun so that the bread is the same thickness as the bottom half of each bun.
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9
Throw the tops away.
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10
Now you should have 10 round pieces of bread -- 5 bottom buns, and 5 top buns with the tops cut off.
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11
Preheat oven to 325F (160C).
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12
Place the bread in the the oven directly on the rack and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until each piece is golden brown and crispy.
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13
Set these croutons aside until you need them.
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14
When the soup is done, spoon about 1 cup into an oven-safe bowl.
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15
Float a crouton on top of the soup, then place a slice of provolone cheese on top of the crouton.
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16
Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of shredded parmesan cheese over the provolone.
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17
Place the bowl into your oven set to high broil.
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18
Broil the soup for 5 to 6 minutes or until the cheese is melted and starting to brown (you may need to broil longer if you are making more than one bowl at a time).
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19
Sprinkle an additional 1/2 teaspoon of shredded parmesan cheese over the top of the soup and serve.
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20
Repeat process to prepare remaining servings.
