BBC Food - Recipes - French onion soup with cheese croute, red onion compôte and shallot rings

Ingredients

• 25g/1oz butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1kg/2lb 2oz white onions , finely sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme , leaves only
• 50ml/2fl oz dry sherry
• 75ml/3fl oz brandy
• 250ml/9fl oz white wine
• 1 tsp soft brown sugar
• 1 litre/1¾ pints fresh beef stock
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 small baguette , cut into slices on the diagonal
• 110g/4oz gruyère cheese, grated
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 red onion , finely sliced
• ½ tsp soft brown sugar
• ½ lemon , juice only
• vegetable oil , for deep-frying
• 2 shallots , sliced into rings
• 2 tbsp plain flour , seasoned with salt and freshly ground black pepper