Cooking without onions is hardly imaginable – this all-rounder is not only a vegetable but also a seasoning and is simply an essential part of numerous dishes. Whether raw, cooked, steamed or sautéed: the onion is a true culinary delight and can be served in rings as well as diced or in strips. But what should you do if only a little onion is needed? What is the best way to store onions? We have done the research and listed the best tips here.
Storing freshly cut onions
Butter and aluminum foil
To store onions, spread butter on the cut surfaces, wrap them in aluminum foil and place them in the refrigerator. This way, onions can be kept for a few days or at least a week.
Freezing
When I have very large onions, I use only one half and freeze the second half either already chopped or cut into rings.
Storing onions
If you want to store larger quantities of onions, the best way to do so is to braid them into plaits and hang them in the attic or in a cool pantry.
For smaller quantities in the kitchen, an onion pot is very suitable. This is a thick-walled ceramic pot with air holes. This keeps the onion protected from light, airy and cool. Incidentally, garlic is stored in the same way.
What is there worth knowing about the onion?
The onion originated in Central Asia. Even in ancient times, the onion was valued as a spice but also as a medicinal plant And even today, the onion is still almost indispensable as an ingredient in numerous dishes.
In the kitchen, we most frequently use the common onion. This brown bulb has a very piquant flavor and is excellent for sauces, soups, roasts and quick braised dishes, as well as fried potatoes or casseroles.
The red onion on the other hand, has a milder flavor and is therefore often used in salads. Red onions are also visually very appealing as a garnish.
The Spanish onion – also known as a Spanish onion – can be eaten both raw and cooked. It is quite mild and, because of its size, can also be stuffed very well. Anyone who needs a lot of onions, for example for an onion tart or onion soup, will enjoy using the Spanish onion.
The Spring onion on the other hand, looks nothing like its relatives. This elongated vegetable has green stems and a pale root. It is mild and aromatic and works very well as a topping on salads, in meat dishes and soups. To prepare it, only the roots need to be removed – the rest is washed well.
The Shallots are a touch smaller than common onions and are used often and generously, especially in gourmet cuisine. They are very aromatic, but do not taste too overpowering.
The Pearl onions are the tiny ones among onions. We know them almost only from jars, as the onions are barely 1–3 cm in size. These delicious morsels are especially good as a side dish or with braised dishes.
Do onions really have healing effects?
The onion not only tastes good as an ingredient in numerous dishes – the essential oils of the onion can sometimes protect against cancer as well as cardiovascular diseases. They also help maintain healthy stomach lining. Caution: even though the onion itself is healthy, the bulbs should be enjoyed only in moderation. 100 g of onion a day is completely sufficient – otherwise the stomach will protest.
Who would have thought it? The onion is extremely healthy! Onions contain an incredible amount of vitamins, iron and folic acid. To avoid completely destroying the vitamins by cooking or braising, you should add them to dishes only shortly before the end of cooking or enjoy them raw from time to time.
Extra tip: the onion tastes milder and is easier to digest if you sprinkle the diced pieces with a pinch of salt and let them sit for 15 minutes before adding them to the salad.
Onion as a home remedy for illnesses
- Onions are also very popular for ear infections. Heat them as an onion sachet over steam and place it repeatedly on the aching ear – the inflammation will soon subside.
- Also very popular is onion juice for colds. To make it, the diced onion is mixed with sugar or honey, covered and left to rest for about 12 hours. After that, a juice forms which can be drunk. Taking a tablespoon straight several times a day helps against coughs and runny noses.
Read also:Â Onion syrup with sugar or honey for coughs
Image by Janine, meinhaushalt.at
