Irish Onion Soup with Cheese Toasties

INGREDIENTS

For The Soup

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• 8 large Dunnes Stores Onions
• 1 tbsp thyme leaves
• 2 tbsp plain flour
• 2 tbsp light brown muscovado sugar
• 1 x 300ml Irish stout
• 700ml beef bone broth
• Small handful parsley, chopped
• Handful of Extra Mature Cheddar, thinly sliced
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

For The Toasties

• 6 slices Dunnes Stores Sliced Sourdough
• 3 tbsp Dunnes Stores Mayonnaise
• 3 tsp wholegrain mustard
• 6 slices Dunnes Stores Irish Beef Roasted Topside (100g)
• 200g Dunnes Stores Extra Mature Cheddar, thinly sliced
• 3 tbsp sauerkraut
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Freshly ground black pepper

METHOD

1. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large casserole over a medium-low heat and add the onions. Season with sea salt and cook gently, stirring frequently until they are a rich dark brown colour- this can take up to 35-45 minutes, so have patience.
2. Once the onions are softened completely and rich in colour, stir in the thyme, flour and sugar until evenly combined. Season with sea salt and ground black pepper. Pour in the Guinness and bring to a steady simmer, allowing to cook for 6-8 minutes until reduced.
3. Add the beef stock and bring to a boil. Simmer for about 10-15 minutes until slightly reduced. Stir in parsley and season to taste.
4. For the cheese toasties, lay out six slices of the Dunnes Stores sliced sourdough and spread a generous layer of mayonnaise on each slice. Add the sliced beef to each toastie, along with the mustard, sauerkraut and cheddar cheese. Finish with a crack of black pepper and assemble your toasties.
5. Top tip: spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on the outside of each toastie, this will create a beautiful crispy exterior.
6. Heat a frying pan over a medium-high heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. Place the toasties on the pan and use a lid to press down and cook evenly.
7. When you’re ready to serve, slice the toasties into small pieces and place on top of your onion soup. Grate additional cheese on top and grill until the cheese is melted. Finish with fresh parsley and enjoy!