Caramelized Onions

Caramelized onions are incredibly versatile. I always have a container ready and waiting for me in the freezer and the ingredients to make more are always on my shopping list. Saucy, soft slow-cooked onions can be added to mashed potatoes for a chef-style twist or used as a topper for a steak or a baked potato.

One of my favourite uses for caramelized onions is as a topper for pizza. Likewise, pork chops sautéed with apples also love caramelized onions and adding them to a juicy grilled burger is blissful, indeed!

The basic steps required to caramelize onions are simple:

- Toss sliced onions with melted butter in a heavy skillet set over medium-low heat.

- Add a clove of minced garlic and a little dried or fresh thyme leaves.

- Partially cover the pan and cook, stirring often, for about 20 minutes.

- When the onions are very soft, remove the lid and increase the heat to medium. Brown slightly.

- Sprinkle the onions with a little granulated sugar and sauté, stirring constantly, until well-browned and very soft.

- Deglaze the pan (loosen the cooked-on brown bits) with a few tablespoons of dry sherry or chicken broth.

- Stir in a splash of cider vinegar and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Check out my recipe for Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Lasagna at homemakers.com.

How do you use caramelized onions?

About the author: By Dana McCauley

Blog: http://danamccauley.wordpress.com

http://www.danamccauley.com