TIAN (Serves 4 / 6)
It is worth slicing all these onions as long, slow cooking of the onions before topping with courgettes and tomatoes concentrates the flavours, making a sweet and aromatic dish - great as a light lunch with crusty bread or as an accompaniment to barbecued lamb or fish.
1kg / 2¼ lbs onions, peeled and finely sliced
50ml / 2fl oz olive oil
salt and pepper
caster sugar
4 large tomatoes
2 large courgettes
fresh thyme
Heat the oven to 160° C / Gas 3
Put the onions and olive oil in a large frying pan and add half a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of sugar. Pour over 100ml / 3½ fl oz water, cover and cook over a moderate heat until the onions are soft and creamy, without allowing them to brown. This should take about 10 minutes. Remove the lid and continue cooking over a slightly higher heat for about 15 minutes. Stir frequently, until the onions are a dark caramel colour and all the liquid has gone. Spoon the onions into the base of a shallow, ovenproof dish.
Slice the tomatoes and courgettes about 1cm (½ inch) thick and arrange them in overlapping rows over the onions. Season with a little salt and pepper and sprinkle on some fresh thyme leaves. Drizzle some extra olive oil over the top and cover the dish with foil. Bake for 45 minutes then remove the foil and bake for a further 30 - 45 minutes.