Monday, June 14, 2010

The Joy of Caramelized Onions

Did you know onions can mist?  Evidently they can...I got misted last night--luckily not in the eyes.  : 0)

I've been on a serious caramelized onion kick lately.  It started with French Onion Soup several weeks ago.  Then, I made a caramelized onion and spinach dip--I really could have just eaten the onions.  For my birthday dinner, I had a pasta dish with caramelized onions, but still wasn't satisfied.  I couldn't get them out of my mind.  So, I decided to make Pasta with Caramelized Onions.  I found this in a vegetarian cookbook I read through and It. Was. Phenomenal.  OMG!  I can still taste it.  The hubby LOVED it as well and wants it regularly.  It is definitely a 5-Star Recipe.  Do not Stop.  Do not pass Go.  Make it tonight.  The onions are like butter, they are so tasty.  It is so simple, yet so yummy.  I will be making this at least once a month (which is often, for me). 

Pasta with Caramelized Onions
Adapted from How to Cook Everything Vegetarian by Mark Bittman

5-6 medium onions (I used 6 vadalias)
1/3 cup plus 2 tbsp olive oil (plus a drizzle for the pan)
Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper
1 pound long pasta (I used spaghetti)
Parmesan Cheese

Peel and thinly slice the onions (recommend either using a mandolin or a food processor as there are so many onions).  Heat a large skillet over medium heat.  Drizzle a tad of olive oil and once it is hot and shimmery, add the onions, stirring to coat.  Cover and cook onions for about 30 minutes*, turning with a wooden spoon every 5 minutes or so. The onions will give off lots of liquids.  Once the liquid starts evaporating, the onions are translucent and golden, and they start to stick slightly, uncover and add 1/3 cup of olive oil and a generous amount of salt (I used kosher) and fresh black pepper.  Continue stirring every few minutes.  Cook another 20 minutes or so.

Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions.  Once onions are caramel-brown colored, fragrant, and regularly sticking to the pan, taste, adjust seasoning, drain the pasta, and add to the onions along with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and a little more salt and pepper.  Sprinkle with Parmesan, stir to combine, and serve with more Parmesan.

*All times are guesstimates.  I didn't time anything--I just did it by sight.


Now Laura, I have updated my blog!  :0)  Can I have the brand of your bread machine?!  Hehe...

I will post recipes...I've got a number that I am dying to make.  Ever since we decided to do vegetarian month, I've unconsciously cut back on cooking meat.  I made lunch for the family yesterday--no meat (much to my sisters dismay).  And we love Asian food and lettuce wraps.  I'll have to add that to my food list.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Long Time No Post

Well, it's been a little while and I've been a little busy.  I've been wanting to post pictures, but it just hasn't happened.  Here's a run down of the last month:

We had our first anniversary and it was wonderful!  He bought me flowers.  :0)

We went to Destin to see my grandparents over Memorial Day.  My grandfather appeared to be doing better than I had been led to believe, although things are still rough.  For the first time ever, I cooked more than the grandparents did.  While we didn't see any oil, we did see a school of sting rays!  I managed to get some photos, although they aren't too clear.

I had my 27th birthday last weekend and it was filled with lots of good food and wine!  The hubby even made me breakfast (twice)! 

I'm debating a bread maker.  I really want to make more fresh, healthy bread, but it is SO time consuming.  What brand do you recommend?

I'm also trying to get all my recipes organized on the computer and get ready for vegetarian month.  I'm actually super excited about it!

We're going to Michigan and Canada later this month.  It should be nice, especially the Canada part (although we are just driving across the bridge...not going much farther).  I now need to figure out menu stuff for our trip b/c the town in Michigan is one where we need to do our own cooking.  Recommendations?  Right now I'm thinking Baked Oatmeal and Oatmeal Pancakes for breakfast for two days, but I've still got to figure out lunches, dinners, and the other breakfasts.

We had a horrendous storm last night.  We lost power for two hours, which was odd as we have underground power lines.  Whatley was incredibly freaked out by it.  I also felt sick and all I wanted was yogurt.  When we finally got power back, I had my plain yogurt with honey.  I just wish it could have been Greek yogurt.  Oh well.  I obviously lived.  :0)

I really want a vegetable garden but have a very black thumb. 

Anything else you want to hear about?