Ingredients:

Meatball Ingredients:

1 ½ cups fresh breadcrumbs (or panko breadcrumbs)

¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons whole milk

1 ½ pounds organic ground beef (85/15 ratio)

1 tablespoon chopped parsley

1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, plus extra for garnish

1 teaspoon herbes de Provence

Salt (about 1 teaspoon, or your desired amount)

Black pepper (about ¼ teaspoon, or your desired amount)

½ large, white onion, finely minced

4 cloves garlic, pressed through garlic press

¾ cup grated Gruyere cheese, divided use

1 egg, whisked

1 cup shredded, whole milk mozzarella cheese

French Onion Sauce Ingredients:

4 tablespoons olive oil, divided use

2 tablespoons ghee or butter

2 ½ large, white onions, halved and sliced

Salt

Black pepper

4 cloves garlic, pressed through garlic press

1 teaspoon herbes de Provence

1 teaspoon dried thyme

¼ cup sherry (or white wine)

1 ½ tablespoons flour

2 ¼ cup beef stock

2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves