Caramelized Onions Recipe

Add a unique flavor and richness to both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes by using caramelized onions. Whether, you use them for garnishing in soup recipes, or simply serve as a side dish to complement easy appetizers, these browned onions taste great. Onions have a natural sweet taste of their own, which becomes more flavorful after frying. You can try caramelized onions with any kind of onion. Nevertheless, yellow and alike sweetened varieties taste better. Also, be watchful while making these tasty browns, as some onion types get caramelized more quickly than others.

How to Make Caramelized Onions?

Caramelized onion is termed as the cooking method involves converting natural sugars of onions into caramel. In order to make best caramelized onions, select large-sized, mild-flavored yellow onions for making slices. If you take 5 onions, it yields about 2 cups slices. Likewise, adjust the quantity of onions as per your requirements. And in case of non availability of yellow type, you can try making it with the white or red variety.

Preheat a thick skillet over medium low heat, and add tablespoon each of olive oil and butter. As butter and oil mixture becomes hot, add onion slices. Sprinkle tablespoon sugar (optional) and salt to taste. Cover lid and cook onion for approximately 20 minutes, while stirring continuously. Then, remove lid and continue to saute partly cooked onion for another 14 minutes, or until it turns golden in color. As the dark onions begin sticking to the skillet, stir in 1 tablespoon of brandy (or vinegar) to deglaze pan, and wait till it gets evaporated completely. Deglazing adds additional flavor to the cooked onion. Remove from heat and store in the refrigerator for using in regular dishes.

Easy Recipes for Caramelized Onions

While caramelizing onions, do not forget to stir in a splash of finely chopped rosemary and thyme for extra flavor. Now, consider any dish and you can spice it up with these tasty browns. Right from sandwiches to green salads, cold meat, sausages and tarts, caramelized onions complement nearly all types of food recipes. The following are some methods for cooking with caramelized onions.

Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms

Ingredients

• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 1 small carton fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pat butter
• Salt and pepper as per taste

Direction for Preparation

This is a simple mushroom and caramelized onions recipe, perfect for serving as snacks or complementary dish to chicken, rib eye steaks and beef. Preheat a saucepan and add butter and olive oil. Add onion slices and cook until it turns golden brown. Stir in mushrooms and cook until tender. Finish by seasoning salt and pepper as per your taste. For using ready-made caramelized onions, add a tablespoon of onions in a preheated saucepan with some oil, stir in the mushroom and saute. You can cook onion and mushroom with fresh herbs and other ingredients as well.

Pork Chops with Caramelized Onions and Peppers

Ingredients

• 2 boneless pork chops
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon garlic pepper
• 1 medium white onion sliced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• teaspoon sugar
• 7 ounce jar roasted sweet red peppers, drained and sliced
• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

Direction for Preparation

This pork recipe is great for pork lovers. Prepare cleaned pork chops by lightly brushing with olive oil. Sprinkle garlic pepper on both sides, and rub gently with your fingers. Preheat a thick skillet and add both chops. Cook over medium low heat for 5-6 minutes per side, or until the sides turn evenly browned. Transfer cooked pork chops into a serving platter. Return skillet to stove, and add olive oil. Caramelize onions and then stir in the garlic and sugar. Cook for 2-3 minutes before adding roasted peppers and vinegar. Top pork chops with caramelized onions and pepper mixture, and serve warm.

Caramelized onions when kept in an airtight container can be preserved in the freezer for more than 3 months. So, what are you waiting for? Try simple caramelized onions recipe, and make sure you cook a large amount of onions this time. Fill in a container and keep it refrigerated, so that you can have a continuous supply of this flavorful ingredient for enjoying delicious canned soups, salads, meat and other favorite dishes.