Caramelized Onions Mushroom Gravy Food

PASTA WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS AND MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large Dutch oven or wide pot over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook, undisturbed, until they are lightly browned and they start to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir well, then add the onions, paprika, remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally (more frequently toward the end), until the onions are golden and very tender, about 30 minutes, reducing the heat to medium during the last 10 minutes so the onions don't burn.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs for al dente. Reserve 1 1/2 cups cooking water, then drain. Add the pasta, 3/4 cup cooking water, the sour cream and vinegar to the mushroom-onion mixture. Toss until the pasta is well coated and slightly saucy, gradually adding the remaining cooking water as needed.
• Add about half each of the parsley, dill and chives to the pasta and toss; season with salt and pepper. Divide among bowls and top with the remaining parsley, dill and chives.

CHICKEN BREASTS W/MUSHROOMS & CARAMELIZED ONIONS

Steps:

• Season chicken breasts with seasoned salt and pepper.
• Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet then add the breasts.
• Brown the breasts on medium heat on both sides, transfer to a baking dish and put into a 350°F oven to finish cooking.
• In the same skillet add another tbsp of oil and add the onions; sauté until translucent.
• Add a couple teaspoons of sugar and the red wine (optional) and sauté until the onions become caramelized.
• Set onions aside.
• Sauté the mushrooms in the skillet.
• Remove the breasts from the oven and spoon some of the caramelized onions atop each one, then spoon some sautéed mushrooms on each. Finally, sprinkle some blue cheese over the mushrooms and place under the broiler for a couple minutes until the cheese becomes slightly browned.
• Serve the breasts on a nest of angel hair pasta or bed of wild rice or couscous.

CARAMELIZED ONIONS (INA GARTEN BAREFOOT CONTESSA)

Steps:

• Heat olive oil and butter in a large shallow pot, add onions and thyme and toss with the oil.
• Place the lid on top and cook over medium low heat for about 10 minutes to sweat the onions. Remove the lid and continue to cook over medium low heat, stirring occasionally for 25 to 30 minutes, until t he onions are caramlized and golden brown. This could take much longer than 30 minutes, if your stove top is on a very low setting. If the onions are cooking too fast, lower the heat. Don't rush the process. It is worth the wait.
• Add the sherry wine vinegar, salt and pepper and cook for 2 more minutes, scraping the brown bits from the pan. Season to taste. They should be highly seasoned.

PORK CHOPS WITH CARAMELIZED ONION-MUSHROOM SAUCE

Steps:

• Season chops with flour, salt and pepper.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in cast iron skillet over medium-high heat; sauté chops until golden brown.
• Remove.
• Add onions and lightly brown.
• Remove.
• Add 1 tablespoons unsalted butter; when melted, add mushrooms. Remove and de-glaze skillet with 1/3 cup beef broth or wine, if preferred.
• Pour remaining beef broth into crock pot.
• Add sauce from skillet, Worcestershire and spices; add chops, onions and mushrooms.
• Cover and cook on LOW heat setting for 7-8 hours, until very tender.
• EXTRACT BAY LEAF.
• Turn temperature to HIGH; add 1 tablespoons butter.
• Mix cornstarch with Half and Half.
• Whisk to blend well. Add to crock pot and whisk.
• Cook for an additional 15-20 minutes(depending on sauce thickness preferred).
• Serve over cooked rice.

CARAMELIZED ONIONS & MUSHROOM GRAVY

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a pan on medium heat and add the sliced onions. Sprinkle some salt over them and let the soften and caramelize gently. Add the dried herbs and sliced mushrooms next and spread them in a even layer, trying to get all of them to be in contact with the pan's surface. Cook for 2-3mins, turn them around and cook for an additional 2-3 mins so they brown evenly on both sides. Salt them at this stage, adding salt beforehand brings out the water and ends up steaming them instead of browning them. In the meantime warm the milk in a microwave. Move the browned mushrooms and onions to a corner of the pan, add butter and, as it melts sprinkle the flour and stir well. Cook for a minute until the flour gives out a nutty aroma and slightly changes color. Slowly add the warm milk, stirring continuously to avoid lumps and blend with the veggies. You do not have to use up the entire amount of milk, stop when it reaches a consistency you like. Grind some pepper and check for salt. Simmer the gravy for a 1-2mins allowing it to thicken and transfer it to a serving bowl (it will continue to thicken in the residual heat in the pan otherwise) Spoon it over some pan-crisped polenta and enjoy!