Best Onion Confit Recipes

FILETS MIGNONS WITH MUSTARD PORT SAUCE WITH RED ONION CONFIT

Steps:

• To prepare the filets:
• In a heavy skillet heat the oil over moderately high heat until it is hot but not smoking and in it brown the filets mignons, patted dry and seasoned with salt and pepper, for 2 minutes on each side. Sauté the fillets mignons, turning them on both sides and the edges, for 4 to 6 minutes more for medium-rare meat, transfer them to a cutting board, and let them stand, covered loosely with foil, while making the sauce.
• In the fat remaining in the skillet cook the shallot over moderately low heat, stirring, until it is softened, add the Port and the red wine, and boil the mixture until it is reduced by two thirds. Add the broth, boil the mixture until it is reduced by half, and strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a small saucepan. Whisk in the mustard, bring the mixture to a boil, and add the beurre manié, a little at a time, whisking until the sauce is smooth. Simmer the sauce, whisking occasionally, for 2 minutes, whisk in any juices that have accumulated on the cutting board, and season the sauce with salt and pepper.
• Cut the filets mignons into 1/4-inch-thick slices, divide the slices among 4 plates, and spoon the sauce over them. Garnish the fillets mignons with the parsley and serve them with the red onion confit.
• To prepare confit:
• In a heavy skillet cook the garlic and the shallot with the thyme and salt and pepper to taste in the oil over moderately low heat, stirring, until the shallot is softened. Add the red onion and cook the mixture, stirring for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the onion is very soft. Add the Port, the red wine, the sugar, and the vinegar and simmer the mixture, uncovered, for 5 to 10 minutes, or until almost all the liquid is evaporated. Stir in the parsley and salt and pepper to taste and cook the mixture, stirring, for 1 minute. The confit may be made 1 day in advance, kept covered and chilled, and reheated. Makes about 1 cup.

RED ONION CONFIT

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.

PAN-SEARED RIB-EYE WITH FRENCH ONION CONFIT

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.

CONFIT D' OIGNON - FRENCH ONION MARMALADE

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.

GRILLED T-BONE STEAKS WITH BALSAMIC ONION CONFIT

Steps:

• 1 To make the onions, melt the butter in a nonstick large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and salt and stir well. Add 1 cup water. Cook, stirring often, until the water evaporates and the onions are softened, about 20 minutes. Stir another cup of water into the onions. Cook, stirring often, until the water evaporates and the onions are tender and beginning to brown, about 20 minutes more.
• 2 Stir in the vinegar and honey. Cook, stirring often to avoid scorching, until the onions are caramelized and the liquids are syrupy, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and cover the skillet to keep the onions warm.
• 3 Meanwhile, prepare a hot fire in an outdoor grill. Season the steaks with the salt and pepper and let stand at room temperature while the grill heats.
• 4 Lightly oil the grill grate. Place the steaks on the grill and cover. Grill, turning after 3 1/2 minutes, until the tops of the steaks feel somewhat firmer than raw when pressed with a finger, about 7 minutes for medium-rare steak.
• 5 Transfer each steak to a dinner plate. Top with a heap of onions and serve at once.

APPLE AND ONION CONFIT CROSTINI

Steps:

• For the confit: In a high-sided skillet, heat the butter and oil over medium heat. Add the onions, apple slices, salt, and pepper. Cook until the onions begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the vinegar, maple syrup, and thyme. Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions and apples are very soft, about 50 minutes.
• Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Arrange the bread slices on a baking sheet in a single layer. Drizzle with oil and bake until lightly golden, 12 to 14 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and place the gorgonzola squares on top of the warm toasts. Spoon the confit on top of the cheese. Sprinkle with chopped thyme and serve.
• Cook's Note: Freeze the gorgonzola for 20 minutes for easier slicing.

RED ONION CONFIT

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
• Add the red onions. Do not stir. Let the onions turn light brown, then turn and brown on the other side.
• When the onions are browned, add the balsamic vinegar and orange rind.
• Cook for 2-3 minutes, until the liquid is almost gone.

VIDALIA ONION CONFIT WITH GARLIC TOASTS

Steps:

• Position an oven rack 4 inches below the broiler element and preheat the broiler. To make the toasts, arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush on one side with some of the olive oil. Broil until brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn the toasts and broil the other side. Remove the toasts from the oven and while warm, rub one side of each toast with the cut surfaces of the garlic clove. Transfer to a rack to cool.
• To make the confit, heat the butter and remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and sugar, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the wine and cook, stirring occasionally, until the wine is reduced and the onions are a deep golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes more. Add the thyme; taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper.
• To serve, place the reserved toasts on a large serving platter and top each piece with a spoonful of confit. Garnish each with a sprig of thyme.
• making ahead
• The toasts can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored at room temperature in an airtight container. The confit can also be made ahead and will actually improve as the flavors marry. Refrigerate the confit in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• storing onions
• Onions need circulating air to stay fresh. Vidalia onions are particularly tricky due to their high sugar content. One of the best ways to store Vidalia onions is in the cut-off legs of pantyhose: drop an onion down the leg, tie a knot, and repeat. Hang the onion-filled hose from a hook in a cool, dry place. They will keep for months. Alternatively, wrap them separately in paper towels and refrigerate.

CARAMELIZED ONION AND DUCK CONFIT PIZZA

Steps:

• Cut the onion into very thin slices. Put the vegetable oil and onions into a large skillet and place it over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions become golden brown and caramelized, about 30 minutes.
• Place a pizza stone onto the floor of the oven and preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Remove the bones from the duck legs and shred the meat; set aside. Place the dough on a floured surface. Flatten it slightly, sprinkle with more flour, and roll it into a 10-inch disk. Sprinkle a wooden pizza paddle with flour and transfer the dough to the paddle. Shake the board a little to make sure the dough doesn't stick. Spread the caramelized onions to within 1/2-inch of the edge of the dough and top evenly with the cheeses, pine nuts and rosemary. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and transfer to the pizza stone. Bake until the crust is brown around the edges, about 10 to 15 minutes.

STIR-FRIED SAVOY CABBAGE AND CONFIT D' OIGNON-ONION MARMALADE

Steps:

• Wash and trim the cabbage, removing the very tough centre heart if necessary.
• Separate the leaves, and shred very finely.
• In a wok or pan, heat up the butter over a high heat, until just melting & bubbling - add the cabbage and stir around thoroughly.
• Lower the heat a bit, and place a lid on the wok/pan.
• Cook for about 2 minutes with the lid on.
• Remove the lid, add the Confit d'Oignon and stir well. Keep stirring for about 2-3 minutes, until eveything is well mixed and the cabbage is just starting to wilt slightly - BUT still retains it's colour & crunch.
• Take off the heat, season well with ground black pepper & serve immediately.
• OPTIONAL:.
• Fry some lardons or bacon in the wok/pan until crispy, drain off the excess fat and then add the cabbage and confit d'oignon as above. Butter is not needed for this method.

ANDOUILLE SAUSAGE PIZZA PIE WITH ONION CONFIT AND FONTINA CHEESE

Steps:

• Slice the onions in 1/4-inch thick. In a heavy bottom pot, slowly simmer the onions in the olive oil over medium-high heat for a few minutes until softening. Add all the remaining onion confit ingredients. Bring to steamy simmer. Reduce heat and cover with a parchment paper lid that has a 2-inch hole in the center to allow the steam to escape but protect it so that it can cook low and slow. Press the parchment paper down to touch and cover the onion mixture. Place the covered pan into a 250 degree F oven and bake for 2 to 3 hours or until the onions have softened and the liquids have reduced to a sticky gravy that clings to the onions.
• Slice ends off the tomatoes. Cut the tomato through into 2 to 3 slices. In a mixing bowl mix the tomatoes, thyme, garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper. Gently toss to coat the tomatoes. Place on sheet pan and cook at 250 degrees F for 2 to 3 hours until the tomatoes are concentrated and dehydrated. (The onions and the tomatoes can cook in the oven at the same time.)
• Raise the oven temperature to 450 degrees F.
• Stretch or roll the dough to about 10 to 12 inches. Place a piece of dough on a pizza paddle or baking sheet that is sprinkled with cornmeal. Oil the edges of the dough and top it with Fontina, 1/2 of the onion confit, the sausage slices, tomatoes and top with mozzarella. Bake until golden brown. Top with parsley and serve hot.

SEARED FILLET OF SEABASS WITH TOMATO AND ONION CONFIT AND SHERRY VINEGAR NAGE INFUSED WITH TARRAGON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Slice the onions and cut the cherry tomatoes in half. Mix together in a bowl, then add 1/2 cup sherry vinegar and leave to marinate for 30 minutes.
• Place the shallots into a small saucepan and add the remaining 1/2 cup sherry vinegar. Pick off the tarragon leaves, set aside, and add the stalks to the pan. Bring the vinegar mixture to a boil and allow to reduce by 2/3. Remove pan from heat and start to whisk in the diced butter. Keep the pan warm but do not allow it to get hot as this will cause the butter to separate and will split the sauce. When all the butter has been whisked in, pass the sauce through a sieve into a clean pan and keep warm.
• Remove the onion and cherry tomatoes from the marinade and place in a saucepan. Sweat the mixture over the medium heat until the tomatoes start to break down. Add approximately 1/2 of the remaining marinade and cook slowly over moderate heat for 30 minutes.
• While the tomatoes and onions are cooking, take the sea bass fillets and the scallops and season them with salt and pepper. Sear the sea bass fillets in a very hot non-stick frying pan, skin-side down first. When golden brown, remove from the frying pan, place onto a baking tray and cook in the oven for 3 to 4 minutes. Do exactly the same with the scallops.
• Blanch the baby asparagus and chives separately, in boiling, salted water. Remove from the water and tie the asparagus into bundles of 10 using a blanched chive.
• To assemble, put 1 piece of sea bass on each plate and top with the confit of tomatoes. Place the second piece of sea bass on top and lean the asparagus bundle against the sea bass. Take the tarragon leaves that were set aside and roughly chop them. Add the tarragon to the warm sauce and spoon sauce around plate. Add a scallop to the side of each plate and serve.

ONION CONFIT ON GARLIC TOASTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325° F. On a large baking sheet arrange bread slices in one layer and lightly brush both sides of each slice with about 2 tablespoons olive oil. Toast slices in middle of oven 15 minutes and turn over. Toast an additional 15 minutes, or until golden. Transfer toasts to a rack and rub one side of each toast with cut side of halved garlic. Let cool. Toasts may be made 2 days ahead and kept in a sealable plastic bag at room temperature.
• Heat the butter and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and sugar. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Increase heat to medium-high. Add red wine and cook, stirring occasionally, until wine is reduced and onions are deep golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes more. Add thyme; taste and adjust for seasoning. Transfer onions to a bowl and serve immediately with toasts.

ONION AND SHALLOT CONFIT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Heat oil in a small Dutch oven or other heavy 3-quart pot over medium-high heat. Add shallots and onions, tossing to coat, then bring to a simmer. Add tomatoes, oregano, rosemary, 1 tablespoon salt, and a pinch of red-pepper flakes. Cover, and transfer to oven.
• Bake until onions are very tender, about 2 1/4 hours. Uncover, and bake until onions are slightly golden around edges, about 15 minutes more. Stir in vinegar, and let shallots and onions cool slightly in oil. Before serving, discard herb sprigs. Serve warm or at room temperature.

BUFFALO STEAK AND ONION CONFIT ON GARLIC TOASTS

Steps:

• Make onion confit:
• Halve onions and cut each half lengthwise into 6 wedges. In a 2-quart heavy saucepan heat oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and sauté onions, stirring, until edges are golden brown, about 2 minutes. Stir in remaining confit ingredients and simmer, covered, until onions are tender, about 20 minutes. Remove lid and simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid is slightly thickened and syrupy, about 10 minutes more. Discard star anise. Keep confit warm, covered.
• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Trim fat from steaks and cut each steak into 4 equal pieces. Pat steak dry and season with salt and pepper. In a large nonstick skillet heat oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and brown steak on both sides, about 3 minutes total. Transfer steak to a roasting pan and roast in middle of oven about 5 minutes for medium-rare. Let steak stand 5 minutes.
• While steak is roasting, halve garlic clove. On a baking sheet in oven with steaks or in a toaster toast bread until golden brown. Immediately rub toasted bread with cut sides of garlic.
• Serve steak and onion confit on toasts with roasted beet wedges and garlic-beet purée.

PORK CHOPS WITH RED ONION CONFIT

Steps:

• Slice the onion very thinly. Melt the butter in a frying pan, add the onions, season with salt and pepper and cook gently, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 15 minutes. Add the vinegar and reduce until the liquid evaporates, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat.
• Sprinkle the pork chops with salt, pepper and sugar. Fry until golden and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. (If they are lacking in fat, you may need to add a little oil or butter, or both, to the pan to fry them.) Serve with a spoonful of red onion confit on top.

BRAISED CHESTNUT AND PEARL ONION CONFIT

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.

CROCK POT ONION CONFIT

Steps:

• If you don't have demi-glace, take 2 cups good-quality stock and reduce to 1/2 cup.
• Place everything in crock pot and thoroughly combine.
• Turn to high, until just before going to bed (about eight hours).
• Stir.
• Turn to low for overnight.
• Upon waking, stir, and turn back to high until finished.
• Water content will vary from onion to onion, so if your confit is still quite watery towards the end, remove lid and allow excess water to cook off.
• This will keep for at least two weeks, covered, in the refrigerator.

ONION CONFIT

Steps:

• Cut onions into 2, then dice thinly. Sweat onions in a little sunflower oil until translucent and tender. Medium heat Add the sugar and balsamic vinegar and caramelize until onions are brown. Monitor simmering and turning occasionally for about 10 minutes. Medium-low heat. Add to Porto, cloves, nutmeg, thyme. Season with salt. Continue cooking over Medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until there is no more liquid (35A about 45 min). Remove the cloves and either put in the fridge to enjoy it quickly, or can them. Canned confit can be preserved for several months.

HONEYED RED-ONION CONFIT

Steps:

• Heat oil in a 3- to 4-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then cook onions, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften, about 7 minutes. Add raisins, honey, ginger, and cinnamon and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until onions are very tender and slightly caramelized, 20 to 25 minutes.