Braised Onions Recipes

BRAISED ONIONS

Steps:

• Peel the onions, and trim roots, leaving enough to keep onion intact. Cut them lengthwise in halves or quarters, depending on their size.
• Place in a large skillet with butter, sugar, salt, pepper, and enough water to come halfway up sides of onions. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce to medium-low, and cook, covered, until the onions are tender, about 20 minutes. Uncover, raise the heat to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally until caramelized, 30 to 40 minutes.

STEAK WITH BEER-BRAISED ONIONS

Steps:

• Cook the bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 6 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, then add the onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the thyme sprigs, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and cook until the onion is lightly browned, about 5 more minutes. Add the beer, reduce the heat to medium and simmer until reduced by three-quarters, about 15 minutes. Increase the heat to high, pour in the beef broth and simmer until thickened, about 2 more minutes; season with salt and pepper. Discard the thyme.
• Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook as the label directs, adding the peas in the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain and return to the saucepan. Stir in 1 tablespoon butter and season with salt and pepper; keep warm.
• Season the steaks with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon each olive oil and butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, cook the steaks until lightly browned and just cooked through, about 1 minute per side. Serve with the noodles; top with the braised onions and parsley.

BEER-BRAISED BEEF AND ONIONS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine salt, pepper, bay leaves and paprika. Toss meat to coat, then cover, refrigerate and marinate at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Heat oven to 325 degrees. In a large (8-quart) Dutch oven or other heavy pot, heat butter and oil over medium-high until shimmering. Working in batches, brown beef on two sides until dark and crusty, transferring to a bowl when browned (reserve bay leaves). As you cook, add more oil and adjust heat if necessary to prevent burning.
• When all the meat is browned, add onions to the empty pot and return the heat to medium-high if you lowered it. Cook, stirring and scraping up the brown coating on the bottom of the pan as the onions release their liquid.
• Continue cooking until onions are deeply golden brown and soft, 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, make a bouquet garni by tying thyme, parsley and reserved bay leaves together with kitchen string (or just throw them in the pot and warn your guests not to eat them).
• Push the onions to the sides, then add tomato paste, coriander and cinnamon to the bottom of the pan. Cook, stirring, 1 minute, until paste is darkened and fragrant. Stir in flour, cook another minute, then add stock, beer, 1 cup water and bouquet garni. Return beef and any juices in the bowl to the pot, bring to a simmer, then cover and transfer to oven. Cook until beef is tender, about 2 1/2 to 3 hours, turning it over halfway through.
• If the sauce seems thin, remove the meat with a slotted spoon; cover with foil to keep warm. Return pot with liquid to stove and simmer until thickened to taste, 5 to 10 minutes. Return the meat to pot and stir to heat through. Serve from the pot or a platter. Garnish with chopped parsley, flaky sea salt, pepper and paprika. Serve with mustard on the side.

BROWN BRAISED ONIONS (JULIA CHILD)

Steps:

• When the butter and oil are bubbling in the skillet, add the onions andd saute over moderate heat for about 10 minutes, rolling the onions about so they will brown evenly. Be careful not to break the skins.
• Pour in the liquid and season to taste. Wrap the herbs in cheesecloth and add the herb bouquet.
• Cover and simmer slowly for 40 to 50 minutes until the liquid has evaporated. Remove herb bouquet and serve them as they are or in another recipe.

BRAISED ONIONS A LA JULIA CHILD

Steps:

• If you are using fresh pearl onions, they are easier to peel if you blanch them in boiling water for 30 seconds and then run them under cold water to cool.
• If you are using frozen pearl onions, make sure they are defrosted and drained.
• Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet and add the onions to the skillet.
• Saute over medium heat for about ten minutes, rolling the onions about so they brown as evenly as possible without breaking apart.
• Pour in the stock, add the herbs, and cover.
• Simmer over low heat for about 40 to 50 minutes until the onions are perfectly tender but retain their shape and the liquid has mostly evaporated.
• Remove the herbs, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve.

CIPOLLINI ONIONS BRAISED IN RED WINE

Steps:

• In a large straight-sided saute pan over medium-high heat, melt butter and add onions. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Saute until nicely browned then add the wine and vinegar. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer until onions are completely cooked through and tender, about 15 minutes. Remove lid, turn heat up and let the liquid reduce and thicken until it forms a glaze and coats the onions well.

BRAISED RED CABBAGE WITH APPLE AND ONION

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, melt butter over medium. Add onion and apple; cook, stirring, until onion softens, 4 to 6 minutes. Stir in red cabbage and season with salt and pepper. Add vinegar, sugar, and water. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook until cabbage is tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and sugar.

RICH BRAISED BEEF WITH MELTING ONIONS

Steps:

• Dust the beef in flour, then set aside. Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the onions and fry for 5 mins. Add the sugar and cook for 5-10 mins, stirring frequently, until the onions are caramelised. Stir in the garlic for the final few mins.
• Pour in the stock and stir in the Worcestershire sauce. Add the beef and mushrooms, then season, adding plenty of black pepper. Cover and cook gently for 2 hrs until the meat is tender. Can be chilled for up to 3 days. To freeze, cool and store in freezer bags. Thaw and reheat in a pan. Serve scattered with parsley.

BRAISED PEPPERS AND ONIONS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium until shimmering. Add peppers, onion, garlic, cumin, bay leaves, a large pinch of salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are completely tender and the mixture is not runny or watery, about 30 minutes. Adjust heat as necessary to prevent any browning.
• Allow mixture to cool, then store in sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

BRAISED RED ONIONS

Steps:

• Cut the onions in half through the root then into slices cutting through the root again.
• Put them into a pan with the oil and cook gently for 7 minutes stirring occasionally, until they start to soften.
• Pour in the wine add the fennel seeds sugar salt and pepper.
• Partially cover with a lid and cook gently for approx 10 minutes.
• They should be tender and most of the liquid evaporated.
• Serve hot.