British Onion Soup

Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 50 g butter or 2 tablespoons drippings
• 1 kg onion, finely sliced
• 1 tablespoon golden caster sugar
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 3 fresh bay leaves
• 150 ml cider
• 1 liter stock (vegetable or chicken, it's up to you)
• 4 slices bread, cut thick from a round country loaf
• 100 g mature cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 large handful parsley, chopped

Recipe

• 1 heat most of the butter or dripping in a pan, then add the onions, sugar and herbs.
• 2 season and cook, uncovered, over a low heat, stirring occasionally, for up to 40 mins until sticky and brown, pour in the cider and simmer until reduced by half.
• 3 pour in the stock, bring to the boil, then cook for 20 minutes
• 4 to serve:
• 5 heat the grill to high.
• 6 spread the bread on both sides with the remaining butter or dripping, then toast under the grill until golden.
• 7 scatter with cheese and place back under the grill until melted.
• 8 serve the soup in bowls with a slice of the toast floating in it, scattered generously with parsley.