Baked Onions With Thyme Food

BAKED ONIONS WITH THYME

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Cut a slice from both ends of each onion, then halve onions crosswise. Discard outer layers from onions, leaving about a 2 1/2-inch diameter.
• Arrange onions, trimmed ends down, in an oiled 13- by 9-inch baking pan. Drizzle with oil.
• Remove leaves from 2 thyme sprigs and sprinkle over onions. Season with sea salt and pepper, then scatter remaining 8 sprigs over onions. Pour wine over onions.
• Bake, uncovered, in middle of oven, basting with pan juices twice during baking, 40 minutes. Add water to pan and bake until onions are browned and tender, about 50 minutes more. Serve hot or at room temperature.

ROASTED RED ONION WITH THYME AND BUTTER

Steps:

• Try to get 6 equal-sized medium to large red onions. Remove the first layer of skin. With a knife, just take the bottom of the core end of the onion off, to give it a flat base, and make 2 cuts in a cross-shape in the top, cutting half way down (do not cut right through into quarters). Push some chopped or pounded fresh thyme into these gaps with a good pinch of salt (it's important to get the salt right into the gaps) and a little knob of butter. I prefer to cook the onions in an earthenware dish on a thin layer of sea salt or I put them in with my roast chicken or lamb and they cook quite happily in the same tray. Place in the oven fat 200C/400 F/Gas 6 for 30-35 minutes.
• These onions are great with a roast, so tasty and sweet.

CARAMELIZED ONIONS WITH THYME

Steps:

• Heat the butter and olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or pan set over medium-high heat. Peel and slice the onions into rounds while the butter is melting and add them to the pot. Toss to coat the onions and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Turn the heat down to medium and do not cover the pot. You want these babies to get brown! Stir occasionally, for about 10 to 15 minutes, then turn the heat to medium-low. Keep stirring (switch to a spatula or wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits) until the onions are browned and soft. Add the thyme leaves, toss and remove from the heat. These will keep for 5 days in a covered bowl in the refrigerator. Use the leftovers with eggs, on top of a salad, or straight from the bowl with a fork.

BAKED CHICKEN WITH ONIONS, POTATOES, GARLIC, AND THYME

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Arrange chicken, potatoes, onion, garlic, thyme, and lemon in a 12-by-16-inch roasting pan. Whisk together oil and vinegar and drizzle over chicken and vegetables. Toss to combine and season with salt and pepper. Turn chicken skin side up. Roast until chicken is browned and cooked through, about 50 minutes.

RED ONION FRITTATA WITH PARMESAN AND THYME

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a 10-inch nonstick skillet with an ovenproof handle; swirl the oil to coat the bottom of the pan evenly.
• Add in the onions and saute over medium heat until lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
• Preheat the broiler; use a fork to lightly beat the eggs, cheese, thyme, and salt/pepper to taste.
• Add the egg mixture to the pan and stir gently with a fork to incorporate the onions.
• Cook over med-low heat, occasionally sliding a spatula around the edges of the pan to loosen the frittata as it sets.
• Continue cooking until the frittata is set, except for the top, about 8 minutes.
• Place the pan directly under the broiler and cook just until the top is golden brown and set, 1-2 minutes; do not let the frittata burn.
• Invert the frittata onto a large platter; cut it into wedges and serve.
• The frittata may also be cooled to room temperature and then cut and served.

FRENCH ONION TART WITH CHEESY THYME PASTRY

Steps:

• Put the flour in the bowl of a food processor with the 100g butter. Blitz until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs, then add 50g of the cheese, 1 tbsp of the thyme leaves, some freshly ground black pepper and 1 tsp salt. Blitz again briefly to combine. Add 2-3 tbsp cold water, and pulse again until it comes together into a dough. If you don't have a food processor, do this in a bowl - rub the flour into the butter first, then stir in the remaining ingredients with a knife. Wrap and chill for at least 40 mins.
• Meanwhile, heat the 25g butter and the olive oil in a large frying pan over a low-medium heat, and cook the onions with a pinch of salt for 40-50 mins, stirring often, until sticky, golden and very soft when pressed with the back of a spoon. If they start to catch, reduce the heat further and add a splash of water. Be patient, as they will take a while to caramelise, but keep your eye on the pan so they don't burn.
• Stir in the vinegar, sugar and the anchovies. Keep stirring until the vinegar has evaporated, and the anchovies have dissolved into the onions. Remove from the heat.
• Heat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5 and roll the pastry out onto a lightly floured work surface to a 3mm thickness. Use the pastry to line a 23cm tart tin (use the rolling pin to help you do this). Trim the edges so they're just overhanging the sides. Patch the pastry with the offcuts, if needed. Scrunch up a sheet of baking parchment, then open it out again to line the pastry, and fill with baking beans. Bake for 15 mins, remove the parchment and beans, then bake for a further 5-8 mins, or until the pastry looks dry, without any raw spots.
• Meanwhile, whisk the eggs, cream, remaining thyme and the rest of the cheese together with a pinch each of salt and black pepper. Stir in the caramelised onions. Trim the sides of the pastry using a serrated knife to neaten the edges. Pour the filling into the pastry case and tap the tin gently on the work surface to release any bubbles.
• Bake the quiche for 25-30 mins on the middle shelf of the oven until lightly golden and set in the middle, with a slight wobble. Leave to cool in the tin for at least 15-20 mins, then slice. To make the salad, whisk the olive oil and vinegar together in a bowl, then toss in the remaining ingredients. Pile the salad on top of the quiche, or serve alongside. If you like, leave the quiche to cool completely, then chill before serving. Will keep in the fridge for up to three days.

BAKED ONIONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Peel onions, leaving bases intact and place in a baking dish.
• Combine butter and oil in a bowl.
• Brush onions liberally with mixture.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown.