Whether red or white, you can caramelize onions in various ways and without using sugar. In addition, we explain what you can use onions for once you have them caramelized.
- How to make caramelized onion without sugar
- How to use caramelized onions
- Special recipe with caramelized onion without sugar
- Caramelized onion bread
If you do not like sugar, do not tolerate it or do not consider it healthy, you do not have to do without caramelized onions, which give a deep and rich flavor to the dishes. In fact, sugar is not necessary, because onions contain their own healthy sugars that will caramelize if cooked properly.
However, some people add sugar, honey or agave syrup to speed up the process and obviously get a sweeter taste. But if you’re interested in not adding sugars to your dishes, honey and agave aren’t an option either. We tell you how to make caramelized onions without sugar.
HOW TO MAKE CARAMELIZED ONION WITHOUT SUGAR
All you need are onions (preferably yellow or brown), water, a pinch of salt, a good large iron skillet and a little time. Slow cooking is the key to this process so that natural sugars brown and contribute to a great transformation of flavor.
- Take three onions and prepare to chop them. To avoid crying, put on glasses, wet the onions before cutting them and use the sharpest knife you have.
- Remove the outer layer of the onions, cut them into quarters and julienne them finely.
- Heat the pan over medium heat, pour two tablespoons of olive oil, add the onions and stir. Add a pinch of salt and stir for three minutes until they begin to soften.
- Lower the heat to a minimum and cook uncovered for about 45 minutes or until the onions are very soft, slightly sticky and of an intense golden color. Do not be tempted to increase the temperature to speed up the cooking time.
- It is very important to stir every 3-4 minutes to prevent the onion from peeling to the bottom. If they stick, add a tablespoon of water and scrape off the stuck pieces. They are not a problem, because they provide more flavor. Lower the heat further or put the pan on a smaller stove if you are burning too much.
- When they are almost ready, add two tablespoons of water or, better, broth, and let the liquid evaporate. You already have your caramelized onion.
- You can use it immediately or cool it to room temperature to store it in the refrigerator, where it keeps 3-4 days. If you freeze it, you can use it within a month.
HOW TO USE CARAMELIZED ONIONS
The caramelized onion is an ingredient in pizzas, sandwiches, frittatas, soups or stews. Its contribution to the final flavor is spectacular. The caramelization process of onions takes away the spicy flavor, and gives them a much milder and spicier flavor.
They are the perfect complement to:
- Top for mashed potatoes and soups
- Onion bread
- As a base for a balsamic onion sauce
- For veggie burgers or barbecue sauces
- In tapas
- In salads
SPECIAL RECIPE WITH CARAMELIZED ONION WITHOUT SUGAR
CARAMELIZED ONION BREAD
Onions are available all year round. However, its main season, when it is sweetest, is May, July, August and September. Those will be the best times to bake onion bread.
Ingredients:
- 1 packet dry yeast
- 250 ml warm water
- 500 g flour
- 1 packet baking powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 500 g fresh quark cheese
- 2 caramelized onions
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Baking onion bread is not difficult, but it takes some time. The actual preparation is about 15 minutes. But the dough has to rest several times and then bake for at least 30 minutes.
Elaboration:
- Dissolve the yeast in the warm water.
- Add the flour, baking powder and salt.
- Add the quark and knead with your hands until a firm mass is formed.
- Wrap the dough in a tea towel and let it grow in a warm place for about 20 minutes.
- After a while, add the caramelized onions to the dough.
- Knead and let it rise again for 45 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 200 ºC with heat up and down.
- Knead and form a loaf or place in a rectangular mold.
- Bake the bread in the oven at 200 ºC for about 30-40 minutes.