Melt the butter & oil together over a medium low heat in a large stock pot. Add the onions and turn the heat to low. Give them a stir to coat in the oil then put the lid on and find something else to do for 15 minutes, don't disturb the onions
After the 15 minutes are up, uncover the pot, add the sugar & salt and cook the onions for at least 45 minutes, stirring frequently until they are lovely and caramelized. Don't skimp on the cooking time here. This is what builds the intense flavour base, just like a gumbo roux
After the onions have fully caramelized, add the garlic & flour and cook while stirring a further 3 minutes. Add the red wine and stir well scraping the bottom of the pan. Add the soy sauce/worcestershire & stock, a quarter amount at a time and stirring after each addition. Add a little pepper to taste but go easy on the salt. The cheese will add some saltiness itself and you don't want to overdo it. Turn up the heat and let simmer partially covered for 30-40 minutes, skimming if needed. Add in the thyme
https://cookpad.com/us/recipes/332952-vickys-soy-sauce-substitute
https://cookpad.com/us/recipes/338187-vickys-homemade-worcestershire-sauce-vegan
Preheat the oven to gas 3 / 165C / 325°F and spread the bread cubes on a lined baking tray. Toast, keeping your eye on them until they're golden all over then drizzle them with the melted spread / butter
https://cookpad.com/us/recipes/368330-vickys-french-baguettes-gluten-dairy-egg-soy-nut-free
Put 6 soup bowls onto a foil-lined baking tray. Bring the soup back to the boil then add the brandy. Ladle the soup into the serving bowls, stir into each a tbsp of the cheese then top each with enough croutons to cover the soup. Top this with as much cheese as you like. Bake for 20 minutes then finish off under the grill to brown the top of the cheese. Serve immediately
https://cookpad.com/us/recipes/346731-vickys-coconut-cream-cheese
https://cookpad.com/us/recipes/335730-vickys-coconut-milk-cheddar-cheese
https://cookpad.com/us/recipes/339693-vickys-velveeta-cheese-with-vegan-options
This is a kind of french/scottish onion soup fusion. Scottish style includes a leek, the garlic, worcestershire sauce and thyme where french does not. Also the bread is cubed where french style is to leave it in thick slices
