In order to prepare onions to be soft and sweet like the kind found in French onion soup and patty melts, you must learn how to make caramelized onions.http://www.gourmet.com/search/query?query=caramelized+onion&queryType=nonparsed&sort=score+desc§ion=recipes&sisterSite=gourmet.com&search-recipes-submit.x=0&search-recipes-submit.y=0&search-recipes-submit=submit Caramelization is a process used extensively in cooking for the resulting flavors and brown color.http://www.edinformatics.com/math_science/science_of_cooking/caramelization.htm You caramelize an onion by oxidizing its natural sugars through the application of heat.http://www.edinformatics.com/math_science/science_of_cooking/caramelization.htm
In order to prepare caramelized onions you have to know how to cut an onion and how to use a stove top. Cutting instructions are offered below. The onions in this recipe are sliced, but onions may be chopped or diced as well according to personal preference.http://www.rachaelraymag.com/Recipes/rachael-ray-magazine-recipe-index/appetizer-starter-recipes/Caramelized-Onions
How to Make Caramelized Onions
Food and lifestyle expert Miranda Valentine shows viewers how to make caramelized onions, for use in a variety of other dishes. She gives specific instructions and ingredients and talks about the kinds of onion she is using. The importance of stove temperature is also discussed. This guide is part of a larger series of cooking videos available on the Mahalo.com YouTube channel.
Step 1: Cut the Onion
With the onion peel still intact, hold your onion firmly on its side on a cutting board and cut off the top and bottom ends. Then stand the onion upright on one of its newly flat ends and cut it in half. At this point, the onion's outer skin may be removed. Once the skin is removed, slice each onion half longitudinally, adjusting the width of your cuts based on how thick you desire your caramelized onions to be.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5tAJhI_yXo
Note: Onions are full of chemicals, including sulfur compounds and fructose sugar chains.http://www.gourmet.com/food/2006/10/onions When an onion is cut, the sulfurs are released into the air, which may cause you to tear up.http://www.gourmet.com/food/2006/10/onions You can avoid this reaction by keeping onions refrigerated and cutting onions with a piece of bread in your mouth. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5tAJhI_yXo
Step 2: Prepare the Ingredients
As you are cutting your onion slices, begin melting two pats of butter on low to medium heat on your stove top. Have your other ingredients on hand:
- extra-virgin olive oil
- salt
- sugar
- pepper
You need enough olive oil to properly coat your onion (approximately 1 tablespoon per onion). You can use as much as 1 tablespoon of sugar per onion.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5tAJhI_yXo Some recipes rely more on the caramelization of the onion's natural sugars, using less additional sugar (if any).http://www.rachaelraymag.com/Recipes/rachael-ray-magazine-recipe-index/appetizer-starter-recipes/Caramelized-Onionshttp://allrecipes.com//HowTo/caramelizing-onions-step-by-step/Detail.aspx Salt and pepper are also optional ingredients that you only need to use sparingly—little more than a pinch of each per onion—if at all.http://allrecipes.com//HowTo/caramelizing-onions-step-by-step/Detail.aspx
Step 3: Cook the Onion
After you have cut the onion, add the slices to your pan of melted butter and coat with the olive oil.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5tAJhI_yXo At this point, some recipes suggest that you add a pinch of salt and pepper. Salt will not only season the onions, but will speed up the caramelization process by drawing out moisture.http://allrecipes.com//HowTo/caramelizing-onions-step-by-step/Detail.aspx
You must cook the onions on low heat, as they are meant to brown and soften, not burn and crisp.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5tAJhI_yXo Continually stir the onion slices, to ensure that they are cooked evenly, do not burn, and do not stick to each other or the pan.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5tAJhI_yXo Once the slices have begun to brown and soften, add sugar (if you choose), mixing onions to coat evenly.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5tAJhI_yXo
The amount of time required for you to caramelize your onion depends on how much onion and how much additional sugar you use; unsweetened onion takes as long as 45 minutes of slow cooking to caramelize.http://www.gourmet.com/food/2006/10/onions To make a caramelized onion with one onion and sugar may take you 10 to 15 minutes.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5tAJhI_yXo
How to Make Mashed Potatoes
For many, mashed potatoes go well with anything! Many people search long and hard for the perfect mashed potatoes recipe--one that tastes just like Mom's--but are often disappointed that they can't make them just how they remember them tasting. The secret to light, fluffy, lump free potatoes is the Holy Grail to many. The recipe found below may still not be perfection, but following this guide will give you a head start in making potatoes the way your mom used to make.
How to Make Sour Cream
Knowing how to make sour cream can be an important skill if you live in a country where the product is unavailable or differs significantly from the dairy topping you are used to having available. Using either of these two sour cream recipes, you can make sour cream at home. Whether you like your sour cream slathered on Mexican food, potatoes, desserts or fresh fruit, there's no arguing that the dairy condiment has a wide variety of food combinations. Sour cream can be used as a topping for baked potatoes and makes an excellent addition to Mexican dishes or Tex Mex foods such as burritos, tacos, nachos and taquitos. You can also turn sour cream into flavorful sauces, dips and dressings with a few simple recipe variations. With simple substitutions, you can also make your own sour cream non-fat or low-fat.
How to Make Hummus
Want to try your hand at making hummus? It may not be as hard as you think. Read on to discover the culinary secrets of this Middle Eastern dip as you learn how to make hummus.
How to Make Garlic Butter
Garlic Butter is creamy and spreadable, but it also provides a little flavor boost to all kinds of dishes. With a minimum of time and ingredients, you can learn how to make garlic butter.
How to Make Caramelized Bananas
Miranda Valentine, Food & lifestyle expert teaches viewers How to Make Caramelized Bananas. An interesting dish, caramelized bananas will inspire you to use this dish within other desserts. Miranda Valentine explains all you will need to know to master this dish. This guide is part of a larger series of food/cooking videos which are published on the Mahalo.com YouTube channel.
How to Make Glazed Carrots
How to Make Glazed Carrots is a video hosted by food and lifestyle expert Miranda Valentine. Follow this recipe to make a special glazed carrots treat for you and the family. This guide is part of a larger series of food/cooking videos which are published on the Mahalo.com YouTube channel.
References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
Optimal caramelization can be achieved by using a cast-iron skillet.
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Fact:
To avoid tears, hold bread in mouth when cutting onion.
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Fact:
Brown sugar may add sweetness.
