Monday, November 12, 2007

Onions are Vegetables Too!

Spaghetti w/ Onions, Thyme and Parmesan

I always amazes me when some one tells me that the hate onions! What I think they mean to say is that the hate raw onions...beause onions are in practically every savory recipe! Almost everything that I cook starts with an onion. And onions all on their own can make a delicious meal.

When most people are trying to "figure out" what vegetable to have for dinner, I don't think the onion is the first to come to mind! Onions, when carmelized are actually sweet, but the best part is that they're inexpensive and you almost always have them on hand...or you should! Not to mention the onions' nutritional value and huge health benefits such as anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Onions, like garlic, are considered one of the "super foods"!

Thinly slicing and cooking onions for 25-40 min. (carmelizing), can then be tossed with pasta, spinkle with cheese and that's it! Of course you can get creative by adding baby spinach, arugula, pancetta, italian sausage, goat cheese, kalmata olives and feta, or other shaped pastas, etc.

Or add some beef broth for a simple version of French Onion Soup, top with croutons and swiss cheese, if you have them. I made some soup today and added leftover brussel sprouts, but any leftover veg or protein (beef/chicken, etc,) can be added. (And of course, you can add broth or stock to any onion/pasta leftovers to make soup also!)


5 large onions, thinly sliced, 2 tbl.olive oil/butter in hot pan, cook on high for about 10 min. until they start to brown.


When onions start to carmelize, turn heat to med. high and continue cooking, shaking pan or tossing every so often to prevent burning and/or sticking.


After 30-40 min., onions should be nice and brown, season with S & P. You can deglaze the pan with white wine, dry sherry or vinegar (balsamic) if you want to, especially if using the onions for soup.

PS you can use any color of onion or combination of, don't stress...it's only cooking!

Life is good, and my soup was delicious!

4 comments:

fawn said...

Fresh sweet spring onions are the best thing in the world! Tracy is right... everything good starts with onions, plus they are good for your heart!

Mark Reifkind said...

I treat onions and garlic as medicine. I try to have some of each every day as I feel they are vital for keeping me healthy.and yes fawn they way good for the heart and your arteries!

Howie B said...

Mmmm... reading these posts is SO fueling my appetite. Those onions look good. As bad as it is, they make me want to have hot dogs covered with onions! Good thing I already had lunch.

Royce said...

French Onion Soup.......mouth watering.....

Love that stuff, there is a place near my house that has the best I've ever had I get it at least twice a week.