Caramelized Onion

I can provide you with the recipe for caramelized onion, a sweet and flavorful side dish that can accompany many dishes, from meat to cheese. Caramelization enhances the natural sweetness of the onions, making them a great counterpoint to savory or flavorful dishes.

Ingredients

• 4 large onions
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil or butter
• 1 tablespoon of sugar (preferably brown)
• Salt to taste
• Balsamic vinegar (optional)

Preparation

1. Peel the onions and slice them thinly. Try to keep the slices uniform in thickness to promote even cooking.
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil or butter over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and a generous pinch of salt.
3. Allow the onions to soften, stirring occasionally. This step should take about 15-20 minutes. It’s important not to raise the heat to prevent the onions from burning instead of caramelizing slowly.
4. When the onions become translucent and soft, add the sugar and mix well.
5. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the onions turn a golden brown color and the aroma becomes sweet and intense. If you are using balsamic vinegar, add it towards the end, letting it evaporate and concentrate for a few minutes.
6. Taste and adjust for salt and sweetness if necessary.

Caramelized onions are suitable for accompanying blue cheeses, meat dishes (especially steaks), or as a topping for a tartine or a gourmet bruschetta. In some contexts, they can also be used to complete a pizza or focaccia.

Curiosity

Caramelized onion is a great example of how a simple ingredient can be almost completely transformed through slow cooking. The caramelization process utilizes the natural sugars present in the onion, which are slowly converted into sweet and complex flavor.