How to Transform the Ordinary Onion.
Caramelized Onions are a Secret Ingredient that will...
transform an ordinary dish into a..
delectable feast.(Don't be
surprised when people say, "This is
sooo good--
what did you use?")
I
prepare these
ahead and try to always have them available
for a
quick enhancement to a
number of diverse recipes!
(Please see bottom of this post for some suggested uses) -----
Here's how easy it is to make caramelized onions:
Finely slice three, medium, yellow onions (peel first).
I use a mandolin slicer (found at a yard sale, years ago, for fifty-cents)
and a yellow onion (I slice it atop a cutting surface).
Plop them all into a medium-size cast iron skillet (or...use your favorite frying pan).Add about three tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and a tablespoon or two of real butter.(You could just use a simple vegetable oil if you prefer.)Saute' the onions on the lowest heat...
Here's the MOST IMPORTANT TRICK : You will need to stir the onions often.
I set my kitchen timer for 10 to 20 minute increments
and putter around nearby doing other things while the onions caramelize.
I have noticed that (as time goes by in the cooking process) after about the first hour,
I will need to check their progress more often...
about every 7 to 10 minutes (sometimes less)...
or they may burn on me.
NOTE: There are variables that will effect the time frame for stirring.
The water content of the onion is one. Also, pan and stove may also cause the onions to cook faster or slower than usual.
If you've never done this before, I highly recommend that you
check and stir the onions more often throughout, during the first time you try this.
I know, it may seem like a bit of work...
however, in my opinion, it is VERY worth the due diligence as well...
it is a rich and delicious flavor that you cannot get in any other manner!!
Note:
Do not let the onions burn!!TIP: If they
do burn a bit, just use a fork to carefully remove the burnt bits and continue on...
they still taste delicious!!
After about two hours...
your onions will be sweet...
with a lovely caramel color...
and look like this!
Nectar of the Gods.
I place the caramelized onions inside a crock and ...
keep them tightly covered in the refrigerator...
where they become my secret (and very delicious) ingredient in a variety of dishes!
(They will last up to three weeks in the 'fridge...but you'll probably eat them all up before then.)
---
Add a dollop of Caramelized Onion to:
Liven up fresh or leftover Mashed Potatoes
(first, dice them fine--I use scissors for this :)...
add to the pan as you fry potatoes or hash browns
(TIP: I use leftover baked potatoes for fried potatoes or hash browns) ...
use caramelized onions to liven up leftovers by adding them to slices of warmed, leftover chicken breast, steak, or even meat loaf ...
use caramelized onions to enhance an ordinary sandwich...
or... add them to a slow cooked beef roast and you may have everyone raving
(TIP: If you like the taste of the onion-soup-mix roast, this is similar but way better) ...
Add a tablespoon of caramelized onions to hot oil when preparing...
sauteed vegetables...
Scrambled eggs are so delicious when you add a touch of caramelized onions to them...
Caramelized onion also impart a rich flavor to simple vegetable soup broths...
Dice & mix them with plain yogurt, sour cream and/or cream cheese for an amazing dip
or...
sandwich spread (I've made some tantalizing tea sandwiches this way) ...
and, of course, they are a prime ingredient in creating authentic French onion soup!
In fact...
The possibilities are endless!!
