Tutorial: Caramelized Onions

A few months ago I think it was Genie Sea who made a commented and asked how to make caramelized onions. Sorry it took so long for me to get around to making some Genie Sea! I do not make them often but with my sister Shannon the Movie Moxie visiting I decided to make her a homemade pizza with mushrooms, chicken, green peppers and caramelized onions and knew this was my perfect opportunity to share! I began with one sweet onion and one vidalia onion. Both are sweet, therefore, easier to caramelize but you can just use any onions.

I learned this technique from Bonnie Stern’s book Essentials of Home Cooking which seems to be out of print so I will share the recipe with you here. Get two large onions or three smaller cooking onions and chop them. Having them in smaller pieces means less cooking time!

Saute them on medium-high heat in about 2 tbsp of olive oil, I prefer to move them around quite a bit to prevent burning. Cook for 10 minutes or until brown, mine took longer than 10 minutes. I did not want them to burn so I was modest with the heat.

Once they begin to brown add 1 tbsp of brown sugar, 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1/2 a tsp of salt and pepper. Reduce the heat and cook gently uncovered for 15 to 25 minutes until the colour of the onions deepens and the onions soften:

There is nothing more delicious than caramelized onions. Yes, you need to keep an eye on it and stir here and there for quite a while during the cooking process but it is so totally worth it.

I love this technique. I have tried making these before they they tend to burn without cooking all the way through. Cutting it up into smaller pieces and adding the sugar and vinegar really helps with the deepening-of-flavour process and they end up being out of this world.

Shannon loved the homemade pizza. A little taste of home for my family! What a great way to begin foodie adventures with Shannon.