The Versatile Onion

Caramelization (British English: caramelisation) is the oxidation of sugar, a process used extensively in cooking for the resulting nutty flavor and brown color. As the process occurs, volatile chemicals are released, producing the characteristic caramel flavor.

If you're like me, you typically always have a spare onion lying around that you don't know what to do with. If you are also like me, you don't necessarily like the flavor of raw white onions. Pretty much the only way I use raw white onions is sliced thin on my burgers. So you ask, what can I do with all the white onions lying around my pantry? My answer….. caramelize them. The process is quite simple and the use of caramelized onions is endless. Use them as a pizza topping, put them on burgers, or make French onion soup. The list goes on and on! I will provide the technique, it's up to you to pick how you use them.

Step 1. Slice the end of both sides of the onion.

Step 2. Slice the onion in half

Step 3. Remove the skin from the outside of the onion

Step 4. Slice thin half moon slivers, the thinner the slices, the quicker the cooking process

Step 5. Heat a skillet or sauté pan to medium hot

Step 6. When the pan is hot, add 3 tablespoons of butter

Step 7. Immediately dump the sliced onion into the pan

Step 8. Stir the onions continuously on high heat until they are coated with butter

Step 9. Drop the heat down to low, at this point you can stir every so often

Step 10. Check the onions every so often, making sure they don't stick to the bottom of the pan. Stir as needed. Cooking time depends on how thin the onions were sliced, and what type of onion was used. Yellow and white onions have the highest sugar contents, whereas red onions have the smallest sugar content. If the onions are sticking to the bottom of the pan, lower the heat and add a little bit of water to deglaze. Cook the onions until they are very dark in color. Be careful, you want them to be dark and sweet, not dark burnt and bitter!

Step 11. Choose how you will use your caramelized onions…… enjoy!