Onion Soup with Cheese Crouton

To prepare onion soup: 1. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add the sliced onion, sugar, and pepper. Cook, stirring, for about 15 minutes until golden. Pour in the wine and cook for approximately another 2 minutes. Then add the broth, 1 1/2 cups of water, and thyme. Bring to a boil and cook until the liquid in the saucepan reduces to about 2 1/2 cups. Ladle 1 1/4 cups of soup into each of two heatproof individual serving bowls. Place the bowls of onion soup on a baking sheet. 2. Turn on the oven's broiler. Place one slice of baguette into each soup bowl and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of cheese. Place the baking sheet under the broiler for 3 minutes. Serve the onion soup with croutons immediately.