Quick Onion Confit Recipes

Steps:

• For the onion confit: Heat a large enameled cast-iron pot over medium heat. Add the butter; when it begins to foam, add the red onions, marjoram, thyme, bay leaves and sugar, and sprinkle liberally with salt. When the onions begin to caramelize, add the red wine and balsamic vinegar and reduce to dry. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add 1 cup of the beef stock; cook until reduced to a glaze. Repeat until all the beef stock has been used. Turn off the heat and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
• For the rib-eye: Heat a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over high heat; add the oil. Pat the steak dry with paper towels, and sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper. When the oil is just below smoking, place the steak into the pan. Once a nice sear has developed, flip the steak and add the butter, thyme and garlic. If the garlic or steak begins to burn, reduce the heat. Cook, basting the steak with the bubbling butter, until an internal temperature of 125 degrees F has been reached for medium-rare. Remove the steak to a cutting board and let rest for 7 to 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with the French onion confit.
• Place the potatoes in a large pot, cover with room temperature water and season liberally with salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to a simmer and cook until fork tender. Drain the potatoes, saving 1/2 cup of the cooking water for thinning out if needed.
• Pass the potatoes through a food mill into a large bowl. Add the butter and heavy cream, and fold together with a spatula until combined. Fold in the shredded cheese. If the potatoes get too thick, thin them out with a little of the cooking water. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve garnished with chives and a drizzle of olive oil.

Steps:

• Cut onions in half from top to bottom (not crosswise). With a paring knife, peel each onion half. Lay each onion half flat side down. Holding the knife at a slight angle, cut away and discard the hard root end. Using a sharp knife, cut into 1/4-inch half-moons.
• Put a large heavy-bottomed pot, preferably enameled cast iron, over medium-high heat. Melt butter, then add all the sliced onions and stir to coat. Sprinkle with sugar and season generously with salt and pepper. Continue stirring until onions begin to wilt and soften, without browning, about 5 to 8 minutes.
• Add bay leaves, thyme, cayenne, vinegar and wine. Reduce heat to medium and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until onion mixture is quite soft and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 30 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning. Remove and discard bay leaves and thyme. Serve warm.

Steps:

• Heat oil over low heat in a medium saute pan. Cook the onions, stirring often, until very soft, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Add wine, vinegar, water, and sugar, and raise heat to medium. Cook uncovered for about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Steps:

• Blanch onions in a large saucepan of boiling water 3 minutes, then drain and transfer to a bowl of ice and cold water. Drain onions and peel.
• Cook chestnuts in 3 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes. Add broth and celery and cook at a bare simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced to about 1/4 cup, about 10 minutes.
• While chestnuts are cooking, heat remaining 3 tablespoons butter in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then sauté shallots and peeled onions with thyme and salt and pepper to taste, stirring, until onions are tender and golden brown in patches. Add wine and simmer until slightly reduced, about 2 minutes.
• Gently stir onion mixture into chestnut mixture and season with salt and pepper.

Steps:

• Thinly slice the onions (use the slicing blade of the food processor if you have one). Thinly slice the oranges, then cut each slice into quarters.
• Heat the oil and butter in a pan. Add the coriander seeds and peppercorns and fry until they start to smell fragrant. Add the onions and gently fry, stirring, until they start to colour, about 10 mins. Add the oranges and salt, cover then gently cook for 30 mins.
• Add the sugar and vinegars and gently cook, uncovered, for a further 30 mins, stirring from time to time, until the confit is thick. Meanwhile, sterilise your jars then wash them in hot soapy water and rinse well. Boil the lids, which must be vinegar-proof, for 5 mins and leave to dry. Place the jars upright in a roasting tin and put in the oven at 160C/140C fan/gas 3 for 15 mins.
• Remove the jars and set on a board. Fill with the onion confit and screw on the lids. Label and store in a cool, dry place for 2 weeks to allow the flavours to develop. Will keep for up to six months.

Steps:

• In a heavy frying pan, heat up the olive oil and add the finely sliced onions - toss around to make sure they all have a coating of oil.
• Cover & cook over a gentle heat until they start to colour.
• Add the salt, pepper, bay leaves & rosemary sprigs & cook for a further 20 to 30 minutes, until the herbs have wilted.
• Take off the lid and add the sugar, wine & vinegars.
• Bring them to the boil and keep stirring al the time; then lower the heat & simmer for about 20 to 30 minutes until the liquid is all dissolved and the onions are soft & sticky.
• You will need to be very vigilant towards the end of the cooking - stirring all the time so the onions do not stick and become burnt and scorched.
• Pick out the rosemary & bay leaves and spoon the confit into a clean, dry & sterilised jar & seal straight away.
• Ready to eat after 2 weeks, but better if kept for at least 1-2 months.
• Makes one x 300ml jar - the recipe can easily be increased - use a large preserving pan if necessary.