Texas 1015 Onions

[fifi]

The 1015 sweet onions are showing up in our markets. This always speaks to me of warming weather and a good cold beer.

Now, we all know that cooking with the various sweet onions is a waste of sweet onions. We do know that, don't we? Sweet onions are meant to be eaten raw. Of course, you think of salad as a natural. But my favorite way to enjoy these beauties is in an onion sandwich. Stay with me here:

1) Get a couple of slices of a really good white bread. A soft verson is best.

2) Liberally spread with a good mayonaise. Many afficiandos use their homemade. I generally wimp out and use Hellman's Mayonesa (made with lime juice).

3) Pile on very thinly sliced sweet onion. Salt and pepper, be generous with the pepper. I have been know to use Jane's Crazy Salt for a nice variation.

4) Eat with a nice crisp cold lager, or two.

5) Nap! There is some mysterious chemistry in a pile of raw onion and cold beer that is nap inducing. A hammock is optional.

The other thing I do with these is start again with the thinly sliced onion. Spritz generously with fresh lime juice. Add salt and pepper and let it sit in the fridge for a while. I heap this stuff on all sorts of things . . . salads, tacos, as a condiment with quesadillas. (I have done this for years using red onion but the 1015s give it a nice twist.)

Most of my uses of these beauties really keep it simple and take advantage of the raw goodness. Any other ideas?

[Kokh Leffle]

YUM!!

Try This: Get the best ripe tomatoes you can find. At this time of year, your best bet is on the vine hothouse tomatoes. Alternate and overlap slices of tomato with slices of onion. I like to make overlaping concentric rings on a plate. Sprinkle with sea salt and lots of fresh ground black pepper. Drizzle with some good olive oil and enjoy with your favorite bread. A nice home baked baguette is ideal. Be sure to soak up the juices and oil with the bread.

For a nice variation, scatter with some capers or anchovy filets.

[hwilson41]

Fifi; perhaps this isn't what you're looking for, but I've got a killer recipe for Vidalia onion soup that I'm sure would be excellent made with the 1015s. Let me know if you're interested, and I'll either PM it to you or post it if you like.

[fifi]

If it is your recipe there aren't any copyright issues, please enter it into RecipeGullet and put a link here. I would think that the different varieties of sweet onions are probably interchangeable.

[lovebenton0]

throw one of those 1015s in your foodprocessor, pulse with a couple of jalapenoes, add to chopped tomatoes (your garden toms and chilies are the best, of course ), lime juice, minced garlic and kosher or sea salt, toss liberally with fresh cilantro. fridge it for a hour and you've got a hot, sweet, sour and salty table salsa aka pico de gallo. not revolutionary but the 1015s really add a nice touch.

did this a couple nights ago... marinate thinly sliced 1015s with lime juice, a sprinkle of kosher or sea salt and a dash of tabasco while your shrimp are marinating to go on the grill (or in the boil pot). then toss the onions with the cooked shrimp to serve. nice combo. finger licking allowed.

[fifi]

. . . . .

did this a couple nights ago... marinate thinly sliced 1015s with lime juice, a sprinkle of kosher or sea salt and a dash of tabasco while your shrimp are marinating to go on the grill (or in the boil pot). then toss the onions with the cooked shrimp to serve. nice combo. finger licking allowed. 

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My, my that sounds good. It sounds like one of those deceptively simple recipes that is so much more than the sum of its parts. I think shrimp season is about to open. I often marinate onions (red or 1015s) in lime juice, s&p but I have never thought of adding Tabasco. Hmmm . . . Maybe sriracha would be good as well.

[FoodMan]

I really have no single favorite preparation for those. I usually never cook them but like fifi mentioned try and keep them raw. I love a thick crunchy slice in a burger, as well as the crunch and sweetness they add to a salsa. I'll have to try tossing them with Tabsco though, that sounds pretty good.

Elie

[bleachboy]

Unbelievable on a Mexican taco. A double layer of corn tortilla, some grilled and diced steak, chopped sweet onions (1015's or otherwise), chopped fresh cilantro, and lime juice. Unbeatable flavor!

[lovebenton0]

. . . . .

did this a couple nights ago... marinate thinly sliced 1015s with lime juice, a sprinkle of kosher or sea salt and a dash of tabasco while your shrimp are marinating to go on the grill (or in the boil pot). then toss the onions with the cooked shrimp to serve. nice combo. finger licking allowed. 

←

My, my that sounds good. It sounds like one of those deceptively simple recipes that is so much more than the sum of its parts. I think shrimp season is about to open. I often marinate onions (red or 1015s) in lime juice, s&p but I have never thought of adding Tabasco. Hmmm . . . Maybe sriracha would be good as well.

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fifi, i betcha sriracha would be good too. have to try that also. since i grow and make our own c&j's tabasco sauce i grab that on a regular basis for a little kick. but the sriracha is always in the pantry too.

thinking about making salmon croquettes tonight, and thinking that marinated 1015 and tomato slices on greens with a light bit of fennel leaf to top would make a nice side. although wish i had some cabbage for slaw....

1015s are killer in creamy slaw with raisins, almonds or other nuts, and a bit of curry in the dressing. that would be perfect with the croquettes.

[RebeccaT]

I am from Atlanta, born and reared. While I miss my Vidalias, I will concede that 1015s are an acceptable substitute.

I like to use them in a simple cucumber salad. Peel, seed, and slice paper thin a cucumber or two. Thinly slice half a 1015 (or Vidalia. Sigh.) and toss together. Add white vinegar, rice vinegar, kosher salt and pepper to taste. Chill in fridge for an hour or two and serve with burgers or barbecue chicken.

Edited April 27, 2005 by RebeccaT (log)

[Lone Star]

Buy some of the three for a dollar avocados and put the 1015's in for a big batch of guacamole.

[jess mebane]

...Or a gratin. Layers of thick slices, dusted with S&P, and parm shavings. Dotted with butter, smothered in cream, and baked until dessert-like in its sweetness. Paprika for color, 'course.

[fifi]

OMG . . . I forgot about the cucumber onion salad combination. I have some Mexican crema that will serve quite nicely. Cucumber, onion, sour cream and maybe a little dill is divine. Or, I have been known to use cumin instead of dill.

[FoodMan]

I had sweet 1015 onions for dinner recently. The recipe is a side dish from one of Jamie Oliver’s books, but I made it the main course. Basically, you peel the onion and boil it till it is soft but still firm in the center. Then you core it, chop up the core and saute with butter and herbs and cream. Put that mixture back in the onion, wrap the whole thing with a thin (note the one in the picture is a thick slice so it did not wrap very well) slice of bacon and roast in a hot oven. These are very good!

Elie

[Lone Star]

That looks delicious!