Red onion soup and cheese toasts

Heat the oil and butter in a large deep pan. Add the onions and cook gently over a low heat for 10 mins, stirring frequently. Sprinkle over the sugar and cook for a further 10 mins until the onions are soft.

Stir in the flour and mustard, and cook for 1 min. Add the stock and thyme sprigs and season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 30-40 mins.

Lightly toast the slices of French bread and top with the cheese. Return to the grill for 1-2 mins until the cheese melts. Remove the thyme sprigs from the soup. Ladle the soup into deep bowls and top each with 2 cheese toasts. Serve immediately, garnished with thyme leaves.