Easy French Onion Soup

Quantities                Ingredients 4 or 5 lbs. Yellow onions, halved, peeled,  and thinly sliced 4 Tbsp. Olive oil 2 Tbsp. Sugar 1 tsp. Dried thyme (or 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme) 2 tsp. Salt 1/2 tsp. Pepper 3 cans (14.5 oz. each) Reduced sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth 6 c. Water 1 c. Dry red wine Toast and grated cheese for  serving (optional) Preparation Procedures: 1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Mix together onions,  oil, sugar, thyme, salt, and pepper.  Place mixture in  large roasting pan. Cover pan with foil and bake for  30 minutes. Uncover and continue cooking until onions are golden, about an additional hour. 2. Place onion mixture in a large saucepan and put  roasting pan aside. Stir broth and water into onion  mixture. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce to simmer.  Cook about 20 minutes or until liquid has darkened. 3. Deglaze roasting pan with wine and add to soup.  Season with additional salt and pepper if necessary. 4. Serve with toast rounds and grated cheese,  if desired. Yield:  8 servings