Onion overload

[sabg]

i have 20 lbs of onions...what to do ? what to do ?

[heidih]

Boatload of onion confit info in this topic http://forums.egullet.org/topic/36754-onion-confit/

[DTBarton]

Kind of obvious, but I've made this recipe and it is very good.

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/COOKS-ILLUSTRATED-ONION-SOUP-50127852

[Jaymes]

One of my very favorite soup recipes is Belgian Beef, Beer & Onion Stew - Carbonnade a La Flamande.

I particularly like Julia Child's recipe, but the soup is so good that it's hard to go wrong with anyone's. Some call for more onions than others and some call for different kinds of onions, but I've used almost every kind and in varied amounts depending upon how many onions I have and whether or not it's "clean out the veggie bin" time.

Also, this stew does not have any potatoes or other vegetables that don't freeze well, so it's one of the recipes that I make up big vats of and then freeze in smaller portions.

You can google Belgian Stew, or Cardonnade, or anything along those lines and get a myriad of recipes. Like I said, I love Julia Child's, but Craig Claiborne's in the original New York Times International Cookbook is also wonderful.

Edited June 29, 2013 by Jaymes (log)

[djyee100]

Ok, my inquiring mind wants to know. How did you end up with 20 lbs of onions?

You can caramelize the onions until they are very soft and golden, and freeze in batches. They will be so good later as pizza topping, or add-ins for grilled cheese sandwiches or meat loaf. Also fine as a side, of course.

Alice Waters' recipe for Baked Sliced Onions is a variation on caramelization. Since it's done in the oven, it's easier. The onions hold their shape more, and come out chewy and sweet. I thought these onions tasted real good. Most of the recipe (the important part) is available on Googlebooks. Here:
http://books.google.com/books?id=qQpyDNOD84sC&pg=PT767&dq=alice+waters+art+of+simple+food+baked+sliced+onions&hl=en&sa=X&ei=HEDPUfSXJKXgiwKk74DQCQ&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA
The cooked onions can be marinated in a vinaigrette for a side dish.

[Panaderia Canadiense]

What kind of onions are they? If they're reds, check out Encebollado (link in Spanish), a delicious Ecuadorian stew/soup with seafood and boatloads of onions. The recipe linked uses far fewer onions than I do - I'd be using 3 or 4 where Laylita calls for half. It's also worthwhile to follow the link for the Curtido de Cebolla, which is a great salad topper and holds really well in the fridge provided you've got an airtight way to store it (otherwise it will make with the stinky!)

[annachan]

I go with onion soup. I can use up quite a lot in a batch. If you don't feel like cutting up the onions, just peel and cut in halves or quarters (depending on the size of the onions), put them in a slow cooker with some butter. Cook on slow for 8-10 hours. You'll get a lovely onion broth base for onion soup.

Edited June 30, 2013 by annachan (log)

[Lisa Shock]

Are you in the US? Have plans for Independence day? You could set up a pot on a portable burner outside and make tons of onion rings for a party.

[blue_dolphin]

I regularly make double or triple batches of the Roasted Onions with Sage from Deborah Madison's Savory Way cookbook.

That would cook them down to something easily stored in the freezer for future use.

[ePressureCooker]

You could also quick / refrigerate pickle a small portion of that 20 pounds, just enough that you could eat within a couple of weeks. Family loves them on tacos, tostadas, green salads, potato salad, etc.

[Heartsurgeon]

Ditto on the caramelized onion idea.

i make a batch of vadouvan once a year, and freeze the product in 1/4 cup pucks that i vac pak and freeze.

the main ingredient of this happens to be onions. I go through a 10 pound sack like it's nothing.

this isn't the vadouvan recipe, but you can process the onions in the same manner.

basically, rough chop the peeled onions, saute in batches in canola oil until just starting to brown (this reduced the volume significantly).

next, take the sauteed onions and spread them out over a sheet pan (it takes three sheet pans loaded about 1/2 inch thick to hold 10 pounds of onion i use a silpat in each pan).

roast in the oven at 350 degrees for 1-3 hours until dark dark brown. scrape up the brown goo, package and freeze. you will have reduced the volume of the onions 10 fold by now.

. the little brown pucks of caramelized onions can be added to soups, stews, sprinkled on pizzas, added to sauces for an intense flavor boost.

[David A. Goldfarb]

I'd go with a big batch of onion confit as well--very handy stuff to have on hand.

[piracer]

You could do a mainly onion and bacon quiche.

Again, make the onion confit like everyone is saying and incorporate it into your quiche batter.