Melted Onions Food

MELTED ONIONS

Steps:

• Combine ingredients in a large skillet and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until onions break down and are completely soft (they will be a lovely medium to dark brown), several hours.

LINGUINE WITH MELTED ONIONS AND CREAM

Steps:

• In a wide skillet with a lid, heat the butter and oil over medium heat. When melted, add the onions in batches, stirring to coat. Reduce the heat to very low, cover and cook, stirring often, until very soft and translucent, about 30 minutes. The onions may turn light gold, but they should not brown.
• Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt, cover and continue cooking until onions are golden and melting into a purée, 30 to 60 minutes more depending on the thickness of the onions.
• In a microwave, heat the cream until warm, add the tomato paste, and stir until dissolved.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water with 1 tablespoon salt to a boil over high heat for the pasta.
• When the onions are cooked, stir the cream mixture into the skillet along with a dozen grinds of black pepper. Cook, stirring, until the onion mixture is slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn off the heat.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until tender, then drain and return to the pot. Immediately add the onion mixture and Parmesan cheese and toss together. Taste and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper; add a little more tomato paste if the mixture needs sweetness or acidity.
• Serve immediately, sprinkling each serving lightly with parsley, if you'd like. Pass more cheese at the table.

MELTY ONION TOASTS

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a sauté pan, add the onions, then sprinkle over the sugar. Sweat the onions for 20 mins over a medium heat, stirring them occasionally, until sticky and golden. Add the brandy, if using, reduce down to nothing, then season to taste. This onion topping can be made 2 days ahead and kept covered.
• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Toast the bread, spread the onions over, then top with slices of cheese. The toasts can be made up 1 hr ahead. Place on a baking tray, then bake for 15 mins until bubbling and golden. Serve each piece of toast on a plate with a sprig of dressed watercress next to it.

MELTING MIDDLE ONIONS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Cut a small disc off the root bottom of each onion so they stand upright. Cut 1cm slices off the tops (these will be used as lids), then put back on top of the onions. Wrap each onion in foil, transfer to a baking tray, and bake for 1 hr until tender.
• Melt the butter in a pan. Tip into a bowl. Add the pine nuts to the pan and toast over a low heat for 2 mins until golden. Add to the butter with the breadcrumbs, garlic, thyme, parsley and egg. Stir, then season.
• Cut the cheese into 8 chunky cubes. When the onions are cool enough to handle, scoop out the soft centres, leaving a few layers of onion at the edge. Finely chop the scooped-out centres from 2 onions, and add to the breadcrumb mix (reserve the rest to use in another recipe, such as ragu). Spoon the breadcrumb mixture into the hollowed-out onions so they're halfway full, then push a piece of cheese into the middle of each and top up with more breadcrumb mixture. Top each onion with its 'lid', then roast for 35-40 mins more until tender and the cheese is melted.