Caramelized Onions With Thyme Food

MINI CARAMELIZED ONION FOCACCIA

Steps:

• For dough:
• Whisk together the warm water, yeast, sugar, and melted butter in a small bowl; let stand until yeast is dissolved, about 10 minutes.
• Whisk 1 1/4 cups flour and salt together in a medium bowl. Add yeast mixture to flour mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until mixture clumps together. Mix until incorporated. Add more flour, a little at a time, if dough is too wet.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 3 minutes. Divide dough into 12 equal pieces; roll each into a ball. Place on a flour-dusted baking sheet; cover with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 45 to 60 minutes. (Dough can be made up to this point 1 day ahead. Keep covered and refrigerate.)
• For caramelized onions:
• Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion slices to skillet and season with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook onions without turning until they are softened and beginning to brown, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add sherry vinegar and honey and stir well to incorporate; reduce heat to medium and continue to cook until onions are tender and brown, occasionally stirring gently, about 10 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt.
• Remove skillet from heat and cool. (Onions can be prepared up to 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Sprinkle 2 baking sheets lightly with cornmeal. Roll out each dough ball to 3 to 4-inch rounds. Transfer 6 rounds to each prepared baking sheet. Pierce dough all over with fork. Brush generously with extra-virgin olive oil. Arrange onions evenly atop each round, leaving 1/4-inch plain border. Top with thyme leaves. Bake flatbreads until crusts are puffed and golden, about 12 to 15 minutes. Sprinkle crumbled goat cheese on top of each mini focaccia. Transfer to serving platter and serve immediately.

CARAMELIZED ONIONS

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat, add onions, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring often until softened and just beginning to brown, about 30 minutes.
• Reduce heat to medium, add sugar and thyme. Cook, stirring often to scrape up any brown bits stuck to the bottom of the pot, about 40 minutes. (Lower the heat if bottom of pot begins to scorch).
• When done, onions should be deep golden brown and have a jam like consistency. Remove from heat and let cool completely. Keeps up to 2 weeks in the fridge.

CARAMELIZED ONION THYME LEMON CHICKEN LEGS

Steps:

• In a bowl mix together chili powder or paprika, minced garlic, honey and salt. Rub this all over the chicken legs and set aside for 10 minutes.
• Heat oil and butter in a pan and place the chicken legs. Brown on high heat for 2-3 minutes on each side. Add onions to the pan and stir once. Instead of onions placed on top of the chicken, pick up each leg and place it on top of the onions. Top with thyme sprigs and lemon slices.
• Cover and cook for 25-30 minutes turning once midway through the cooking process. Switch off the flame and let the chicken rest in the pan for 5-10 minutes before serving.

CARAMELIZED ONION FRITTATA - WITH 3 MORE VARIATIONS

Steps:

• Place butter and oil in a 23 cm (9 inch) non stick frypan over low heat and cook until butter has melted; add onions to pan.
• Cook onions, stirring occasionally, for 10-15 minutes or until onions are golden brown, soft and caramelized.
• Place eggs, cream and pepper in a bowl and whisk to combine; pour egg mixture over onions in frypan and sprinkle with cheese and thyme and cook frittata for 5-6 minutes or until it is almost set.
• To finish cooking, place frittata under a preheated hot grill for 1 minute; cut into wedges and serve with hot buttered toast or with a spicy chutney.
• Pumpkin Frittata - Add 1/2 cup mashed pumpkin or sweet potato when whisking eggs.
• Blue Cheese and Potato Frittata - When onions have cooked in the pan, sprinkle 1 cup cooked cubed potato over them, pour in egg mixture and sprinkle blue cheese instead of cheddar over eggs.
• Antipasto Frittata - After adding eggs to the pan, top them with char grilled antipasto vegetables such as capsicum (red or green pepper), eggplant (aubergine) and zucchini (courgette), sprinkle frittata with cheddar and continue with steps three and four.

CHEESY SKILLET CRESCENT ROLLS WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375˚ F. Melt the butter in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, thyme, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are very soft and a deep golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the vinegar and cook, scraping up any browned bits, until evaporated, 1 to 2 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the onions to a paper towel-lined plate and wipe the skillet clean.
• On the wide end of each dough triangle, spoon a scant tablespoonful of caramelized onions and sprinkle with about 1 tablespoon Swiss cheese. Starting at the wide end, gently roll up the dough around the filling; place in the skillet. There will be some space between each roll, but the rolls will puff up and come together when baked.
• Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until the rolls are golden and puffy, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.

SPINACH FETTUCCINE WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS AND LEMON THYME

Steps:

• Melt butter and oil in a large saute pan and add onions. Cook covered over gentle heat for 40 minutes to one hour, until the onions are a deep golden brown. You may need to add water or stock to prevent the onions from burning. Stir in the fresh thyme, and toss with the pasta. Serve Yield: 4 servings
• TIP: PEELING PEARL ONIONS
• Add make an x in the bottom of your pearl onions, place in a bowl add 1/3 of a cup of water and cover and microwave for 1 to 2 minutes. You can peel them easily when slightly cooled.

CARAMELIZED ONION AND THYME JAM

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat oil and butter over medium heat.
• Stir in onions, vinegar, sugar, bay leaf, and thyme.
• Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are tender, about 15 minutes.
• Remove lid, increase heat to medium high and cook until golden brown, stirring often, about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper and let cool to room temperature.

SAUTEED CHICKEN SANDWICH WITH PORTOBELLO, THYME AND CARAMELIZED ONIONS ON SEVEN GRAIN BREAD

Steps:

• Scrape the portobello mushrooms clean, and slice them lengthwise, about a 1/4-inch thick. Season the chicken breast with salt and pepper. Heat 1/2-ounce of olive oil in a heavy saute pan, over high heat. Saute chicken breasts until firmly cooked through and browned on each side, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the pan, add the sliced onions, add 1/2-ounce more olive oil if necessary, saute until brown and caramelized, scraping all the chicken bits from the pan. Add the mushrooms and continue sauteing until they are soft, another two minutes. Add thyme, grapes and de-glaze the entire pan with green verjus or white wine. Reduce the liquid until it is almost dry, then swirl in butter. Thinly slice the chicken. On one slice of bread, arrange one chicken breast and top with the onion and portobello mixture. Top with other slice of bread. Repeat with second sandwich.

SPINACH FETTUCCINE WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS AND LEMON THYME

Steps:

• Melt butter and oil in a large saute pan and add onions. Cook covered over gentle heat for 40 minutes to one hour, until the onions are a deep golden brown. You may need to add water or stock to prevent the onions from burning. Stir in the fresh thyme, and toss with the pasta. Serve.
• Tip: Peeling pearl onions
• Add make an x in the bottom of your pearl onions, place in a bowl add 1/3 of a cup of water and cover and microwave for 12 minutes. You can peel them easily when slightly cooled.

CARAMELIZED SHERRIED ONIONS

Steps:

• Heat the oil and butter over medium high heat till it stops sizzling.
• Add onions and reduce the heat to medium-low.
• Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and caramelized, about 30 minutes.
• Add the thyme,rosemary, salt, and pepper, brown sugar and stir well to combine.
• Cook for 5-15 more minutes.
• Add sherry and reduce.

POTATO, CARAMELIZED ONION, AND GOAT CHEESE GRATIN

Steps:

• In a heavy 5- to 6-quart kettle heat oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and cook onions with thyme and salt and pepper to taste, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 15 minutes.
• Reduce heat to moderately low and cook, stirring frequently to keep from scorching, until golden brown.
• Remove kettle from heat.
• While onions are cooking, bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil for potatoes.
• Peel potatoes and cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
• Add potatoes to boiling water and cook 5 minutes from time water returns to a boil.
• Drain potatoes well in a colander.
• Preheat oven to 425°F and lightly oil a 2- to 2 1/2-quart gratin dish or other shallow baking dish.
• Arrange half of potatoes, overlapping slightly, in dish and season generously with salt and pepper.
• Cover potatoes with onions, spreading evenly, and top with goat cheese.
• Arrange remaining potatoes, overlapping slightly, over cheese and season generously with salt and pepper.
• Dot gratin with butter.
• Gratin may be prepared up to this point 2 hours ahead and kept at room temperature, covered.
• Pour milk evenly over potatoes and bake 35 minutes, or until potatoes are tender and top is golden.
• Gratin may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.
• Reheat gratin before serving.

CARAMELIZED-ONION FLATBREADS WITH CRèME FRAîCHE

Steps:

• For bread dough:
• Whisk 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon warm water and yeast in small bowl; let stand until yeast is dissolved, about 10 minutes.
• Mix flour, nigella seeds, and salt in medium bowl. Add yeast mixture and stir with wooden spoon until mixture clumps together. Add butter; mix until incorporated. Turn dough out onto lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Divide dough into 6 equal pieces; roll each into ball. Place on baking sheet; cover with plastic wrap. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Keep covered and refrigerate.)
• For caramelized onions:
• Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion wedges to skillet and cook without turning until beginning to brown, about 7 minutes. Carefully turn onions over; reduce heat to medium and continue to cook until onions are tender and brown, occasionally stirring gently, about 10 minutes. Add thyme and honey; cook 1 minute. Stir in vinegar. Seasonto taste with salt and pepper. Remove skillet from heat. Cool. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Let dough rise in warm draft-free area until doubled, about 1 hour. Whisk crème fraîche and egg in small bowl to blend. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
• Preheat oven to 450°F. Sprinkle 2 rimmed baking sheets lightly with semolina flour. Roll out each dough ball to 5-inch round. Transfer 3 rounds to each prepared baking sheet. Let rest 10 minutes. Pierce dough rounds all over with fork. Spread 1 generous tablespoon crème fraîche mixture over each dough round, leaving 1/4-inch plain border. Arrange onions evenly atop each; drizzle lightly with crème fraîche mixture (mixture may spill over edges of dough).
• Bake flatbreads until crusts are puffed and golden, about 12 minutes. Transfer to plates; sprinkle with chives.
• *Available at some supermarkets, and at specialty foods stores and Italian markets.

CARAMELIZED ONION LASAGNA WITH PANCETTA

Steps:

• For the caramelized onions, heat the butter and olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy bottomed skillet over medium high heat.
• Add the onions, (the pan will be quite full at first), cover the pan with a lid (or with fil if the pan is too crowded), and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are completely limp, 10 to 15 minutes.
• REduce the heat to medium, remove the lid, add the sugar and cook uncovered, stirring often, until the onions are golden brown and sweet, 45 to 55 minuters.
• Do not let them burn; reduce the heat to medium low if the onions are browning too fast.
• About 2 minutes before removing the onions from the heat, stir in the thyme.
• Transfer the onions to a bowl, let cook and use immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 10 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
• For the bechamel, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat.
• Add the shallots and saute until soft, about 5 minutes.
• Add the flour and cook, stirring frequently for 3 minutes, (do not let brown).
• Increase the heat to medium and slowly whisk in the milk and cream.
• REduce the heat to medium low and simmer, whisking frequently, until the sauce thickens, 8 to 10 minutes.
• REmove from heat and season to taste with salt and white pepper.
• Use immediately, or let cool, cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day.
• If using the next day, warm the sauce over low heat before continuing.
• Saute the pancetta iin a medium skillet over medium heat until just cooked, 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often.
• Drain onto paper towels and set aside.
• Cook the lasagna noodles in boiling water to which you have added the olive oil and some salt, about 12 minutes, or according to package instructions.
• Drain well, rinse under cool water and drain again.
• Preheat oven to 350*F.
• Brush a 9 by 13 inch baking dish with olive oil.
• Spread 1/2 cup of the bechamel sauce in the bottom of dish.
• Cover with 3 noodles, touching but not overlapping.
• Spread the noodles with another 1/2 cup of the bechamel, then top with 1/4 each of the onions, pancetta, mozzarella cheese and top with another layer of noodles.
• Repeat this layering 3 more times.
• Top with remaining bechamel sauce.
• Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
• Remove the foil and bake until the top is just beginning to brown, about 10 minutes more.
• If the top is not browning, turn on the broiler and cook under the broiler until the top begins to brown, about 5 minutes.
• To serve let the sasagna sit in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes, then cut into servings and arrange the lasagna on individual plates, garnishing each serving with a thyme or a parsley sprig.

RADICCHIO SALAD WITH CARAMELIZED CARROTS AND ONIONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Toast almonds on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing halfway through, until golden brown, 8-10 minutes; set aside.
• Cook carrots, 2 Tbsp. oil, 1 Tbsp. thyme, 1 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. red pepper, and 1 cup water in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until water is evaporated, about 15 minutes. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until carrots are lightly browned and tender, about 5 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 Tbsp. oil in another large skillet over medium-high. Add onions, 1 tsp. salt, and remaining 1 Tbsp. thyme and 1/4 tsp. red pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are lightly browned and tender, 10-12 minutes.
• Whisk garlic, vinegar, orange juice, honey, and remaining 1/4 cup oil and 3/4 tsp. salt in a large bowl. Add carrot mixture, onion mixture, radicchio, orange slices, and parsley and toss to coat. Top with reserved almonds.

ROASTED GARLIC CHICKEN WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Slice the top off the head of garlic, place on a piece of foil, sprinkle with salt, and drizzle olive oil over top. Roast about 30 minutes. Once cool enough to handle, squeeze the garlic into a small bowl and mash with a spoon into a paste.
• Melt the butter in a pan and saute the onions over medium heat for about 45 minutes. You want the onions to caramelize in their own sugars and take on a nice golden brown color. This may take up to an hour, depending on how dialed your heat is. If they turn black, it was too hot!
• Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and thyme on both sides. Saute in olive oil over medium-high heat for about 2-3 minutes per side. You only want a nice golden crust here.
• Spread the roasted garlic paste over top of the chicken breasts and finish them in the 400 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until the juices run clear. Let the chicken rest on your cutting board for 5 minutes while you prepare the sauce from the pan drippings.
• Drain the excess olive oil from the pan and place over high heat. Deglaze with chicken broth and the optional wine, scraping the browned bits off the pan with a wooden spoon. You want to boil this rapidly and reduce it down to about a third of what it was (or until it's a nice sauce consistency). Taste and correct the seasoning with salt and pepper.
• To plate, slice the breasts diagonally, lay the slices one atop the next, drizzle with the sauce, and top with the carmelized onions.