November 13, 2008

Barefoot Bloggers- Herb Roasted Onions

This weeks Barefoot Bloggers recipe, chosen by Kelly, came at the perfect time. I had just watched the episode where Ina makes this dish to serve with Chicken Piccata on Friday (aka Roast Chicken Night at the Garten's) for Jeffrey. I love episodes where Jeffrey comes on as the dutiful, happy, appreciative husband. I know it bugs some people but it makes me happy to see him loving Ina and her cooking! So, I decided to make the chicken piccata too for my hubby since they looked wonderful together. The flavors were perfect together. These onions have a surprisingly sweet taste and awesome texture. To me, they taste a lot like onion rings without the fried part (if that makes any sense!) These are a keeper and will definitely be made again at our house.

Some people mentioned not having enough dressing. Naturally, I didn't measure any of these ingredients since I was working on this while I was balancing my little guy on my hip. I probably made a little extra dressing (and know I put in too much mustard on accident). However, I made my dressing in a good sized bowl and then tossed the onions in with the dressing. I used a slotted spoon to scoop the onions onto my Silpat lined sheet and reserved the dressing left in the bowl to pour over the onions once they came out of the oven. There was plenty of vinaigrette left and I saved a bowl or two to clean (good thing when you're also making breaded chicken... that always yields a delicious dinner and dozens of dishes!)

Herb-Roasted Onions

by Ina Garten

2 red onions
1 yellow onion
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (a bit more)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (measure carefully! you don't want too much)
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup good olive oil
1/2 tablespoon minced fresh parsley leaves (a bit more)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Remove the stem end of each onion and carefully slice off the brown part of the root end, leaving the root intact. Peel the onion. Stand each onion root end up on a cutting board and cut the onion in wedges through the root. Place the wedges in a bowl.

For the dressing, combine the lemon juice, mustard, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil. Pour the dressing over the onions and toss well.

With a slotted spoon, transfer the onions to a sheet pan, reserving the vinaigrette that remains in the bowl. Bake the onions for 30 to 45 minutes, until tender and browned. Toss the onions once during cooking. Remove from the oven, and drizzle with the reserved dressing. Sprinkle with parsley, season to taste and serve warm or at room temperature.

P.S. ... Have you heard about Shabby Apple? They have fabulous dresses and great accessories. They are running a contest now to describe your perfect outfit and what you'd wear it for. My best friend is the running and needs your vote for her Times Square Countdown vignette. While you're there, get yourself a new little black dress. I love mine that Kara gave me for my birthday.

18 comments:

  1. Yours looked lovely - and we must think alike. I made Veal piccata to eat with the onions. All good as usual from Ina.

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  2. They look great, Anne! And I can completely relate to that one-handed cooking -- I put mine down when I need to use a knife or go into the oven, but besides that she wants to be on my hip. I will make these often as well -- I think they are great alone, and have all kinds of potential to be used "in" other dishes.

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  3. I like the "Jeffrey" episodes too...I think she just seems so happy making the meals for him-it's just so sweet.

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  4. They look great. I had planty of dressing also but i didn't measure either.

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  5. I could probably just make a meal out of roasted onion.

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  6. Ina does it again! Your onions look wonderful and full of flavor!

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  7. Mmmm, can't wait to try this one! I know my Jeff would be loving these with chicken piccata.

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  8. I think I would have loved the veal piccata more, but the onions were a pleasant change of pace. Yours look beautiful as always!

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  9. I bet these were so great with the chicken picatta. I hope you post about the chicken too!!

    I love Jeffrey. He's such a sweetie and just dotes on Ina and it's so cute.

    I totally agree about the onion texture being like the onion in an onion ring! Yours turned out great!

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  10. Looks great. The last time I watched Barefoot Contessa, Ina was creating a birthday party for one of her friends dogs. I thought it was so over the top, it left the realm of good food, and bordered on hilarity. Perhaps I didn't see the point in creating a party for a dog that wouldn't even appreciate the effort. I'm sure your family appreciated these onions though!

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  11. I made the whole meal too... just wish I had done it on the weekend. Oh well. That dress is too cute!

    And your comment about onion rings without the fried part... TOTALLY makes sense! Perfect!

    ~Cat

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  12. I loved them too,
    and Ina cooking for her man - that's how she shows love. He does plenty to show love to her. If roles were reversed, he would do the same. Some people are just jealous of loving relationships! I don't see a power imbalance there.
    Certainly not in Jeffrey's favour!
    So happy that you loved the onions,
    I remember babe on the hip years - now I have clingy pug who thinks she is a baby on my hip.

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  13. Ah, the days of one handed cooking - just wait till you have to try and measure and help with homework at the same time!!

    I agree, the onions were great!

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  14. I am glad these worked out for you. I liked them as well. I am a little past the cooking with hip attachment phase but it brings back fond memories.

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  15. I agree! I love seeing Jeffrey come home and proclaim that everything Ina makes is the best ever. They are too cute. The onions looks great!

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  16. I'm going to check out Shabby Apple! Thanks for the tip!

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  17. Looks great! I love episodes with Jeffery, too.

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  18. Your onions turned out just lovely! I think I could eat a whole plate of these no problem. Another great post!!

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