Vidalia Onion Pesto Food

FRIED VIDALIA ONION

Steps:

• Heat oil in a deep-fryer to 350 degrees F.
• Whisk together the egg and the milk in a medium sized bowl.
• In a separate bowl combine the flour, salt, peppers, oregano, thyme, and cumin.
• Slice 1/2-an inch off the top of the onion and the bottom of the onion. Slice the onion in half, about 3/4-of the way down without slicing all the way through. Slice into quarters, then into 1/8s. Repeat this until you have cut the onion into 14 sections. Spread the "petals" of the onion apart and dip the onion in the milk mixture. Then coat it liberally with the dry ingredients. Separate the "petals" and sprinkle the dry coating between them.
• Place the battered onion in the hot oil and fry until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Remove to a paper towel lined sheet tray and season with salt and pepper.
• In a small bowl, combine ingredients and whisk together. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve with Fried Vidalia Onion.

VIDALIA ONION PIE

Steps:

• For the crust: All ingredients should be cold. Combine all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add shortening and butter. Using a pastry blender cut in the shortening and butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Drop by drop, add cold water. Mix in with the fingertips, not with the hands as the palms will warm the dough. Continue mixing water in until the dough begins to hold together without being sticky but not crumbly. Place dough in plastic wrap. Fold over plastic wrap and press down to form a disk. This will make rolling out easier after chilling. Finish wrapping in plastic and place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
• Lightly spray a deep 9-inch pie pan or an 8 1/2-inch fluted flan pan. Roll out dough and place in pie plate. Return to the refrigerator until filling is ready. Makes pastry for a 9-inch single crust pie.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• For the filling: Brush egg wash on the inside of pie crust. Return to refrigerator until filling is ready. Over medium heat, melt butter. Add onions and saute until translucent. Do not brown. Combine eggs, sour cream and flour. Add onion mixture. Season with salt and pepper and pour into chilled pie crust. Top with Parmesan. Bake for 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees F for the last 20 minutes or until center is set.

VIDALIA ONION PESTO

Steps:

• In a large skillet, melt butter, saute onion (do not brown).
• In a food processor or blender, combine onions, chicken broth, almonds, cheese and 1 tablespoon oil.
• Process until smooth paste forms adding additional oil until desired consistency.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Sauce can be stored in refrigerator for up to 1 week.

VIDALIA ONION POT ROAST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Season the beef brisket well with salt and pepper. Crush the thyme and rosemary together with a mortar and pestle and rub the herb mix into the beef, coating it evenly. Rub the beef well with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil.
• Heat a large saute pan with 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium high heat for 2 to 3 minutes until the pan is nearly smoking. Add the beef to the hot pan and sear well on one side until browned before turning the beef over and searing the other side. When the beef has been well browned on both sides, remove from the pan and set aside.
• Add the onions to the saute pan and cook them until golden brown. Add the red wine to the onions and reduce by half.
• Pour the onions into a large heavy roasting pan and spread evenly across the bottom before putting the beef on the bed of onions. Add the carrots, garlic, hot beef/water and celery bundle to the beef in the roasting pan and place, uncovered, into the oven. All the combined liquid should rise only 2/3 as high as the meat is thick. Add additional water to maintain the braising liquid height.
• Cook for 1 hour before turning the beef over. Cook the second side uncovered for 1 hour before covering the pan with a cover or foil and turning the oven down to 325 degrees. Continue to slowly braise the beef brisket for 1 1/2 to 2 additional hours.
• Remove the pan from the oven, discard the celery bouquet and allow the beef to rest for 20 minutes before slicing and serving with some of the onion jus.

VIDALIA'S FAVORITE ONION DIP

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients and pour into greased 1 1/2 quart baking dish. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes until lightly brown. Serve with corn chips.

VIDALIA ONION SOUP

Steps:

• Melt the butter with the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, about 40 minutes.
• Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the brandy and sherry and boil until almost completely evaporated, about 2 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes. Whisk in the stock and thyme, bring to a simmer, and cook until the soup is slightly thickened, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and discard the thyme.
• Preheat the broiler.
• Divide eight 16-ounce ovenproof crocks between 2 baking sheets. Put a slice of bread in the bottom of each crock. Fill each crock until three-quarters full. Place another slice of baguette over each soup and divide the cheese on top. Carefully slide the crocks under the broiler and broil until the cheese is melted and golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the broiler and top each with a dollop of parsley pesto.
• Combine the parsley, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor and process until coarsely chopped. With the motor running, slowly add the oil through the feed tube and process until combined.
• Add the cheese, season with salt and pepper, and pulse a few times just to incorporate. Scrape into a bowl. The pesto will keep for up to 2 days in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before serving.