Hawaii’s warm tropical weather is perfect for growing onions, predominantly sweet onions, such as the famous Maui onion and the Ewa Sweet.
Sweet onions have a lower sulfur content than other varieties, which means they have a milder flavor and produce fewer tears when cut. They can be eaten raw, sauteed or cooked in soups, stews and with braised meats.
This week, try some tasty recipes featuring sweet onions.
BUTTERMILK CORNBREAD WITH SWEET ONIONS
By Hawaiian Electric Co.
- 3 tablespoons canola oil, divided
- 1 medium sweet onion, sliced
- 2 cups whole-grain cornmeal, fine to medium ground
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 large egg
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Use a pastry brush to spread 1 tablespoon oil over bottom and sides of a 10-inch cast-iron skillet. Set over medium-high heat. When pan is very hot, add onion and cook, without stirring, until golden brown and even lightly charred on the bottom, 3-5 minutes.
Drizzle in 1 tablespoon oil and flip onions so browned slices are on top. Remove from heat.
In a large bowl, whisk cornmeal, baking soda, salt and sugar; set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk buttermilk, egg and the remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir to combine. Slowly pour batter over onions in skillet. Bake until golden brown, 35-45 minutes.
Run a knife around edge of pan to loosen it. Let cool on a wire rack at least 15 minutes.
Place a cutting board over pan. Turn over to release cornbread onto board. Cut into 12 slices. Serves 12.
Approximate nutritional analysis, per slice: 170 calories, 4.5 g total fat, 1 g saturated fat, 15 mg cholesterol, 350 mg sodium, 27 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 6 g sugar, 4 g protein.
CREAMED ONION GRATIN
By Hawaiian Electric Co.
- 2 medium sweet onions, cored and quartered lengthwise
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Freshly grated nutmeg, to taste
- 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 ounces Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
In a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, toss onions with oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake, stirring occasionally, until soft and lightly browned, about 1 hour; set aside. Set oven to broil.
In a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add flour, and cook, stirring, until smooth, about 1 minute. Add cream and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Season sauce with salt, pepper and nutmeg.
Pour sauce evenly over onions. Spread Parmesan and Gorgonzola cheeses over top and sprinkle with paprika; broil until cheese is melted and golden brown on top, about 2 minutes. Serves 8.
Approximate nutritional analysis, per serving (not including salt to taste): 280 calories, 25 g total fat, 12 g saturated fat, 55 mg cholesterol, 250 mg sodium, 10 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 5 g sugar, 5 g protein.
SWEET ONION JAM
By Hawaiian Electric Co.
- 1-1/2 teaspoons unsalted butter
- 2 sweet onions, julienned
- 2 lemons, zested and juiced, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar, divided
- Water
In a large saute pan over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add onions, lemon zest, ginger and salt. Cook until onions start to turn translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add coriander, 1/4 cup brown sugar and half the lemon juice; turn heat to low. Cook, stirring frequently, until onions start to cook down and liquid is evaporated, about 15 minutes.
Add 1/3 cup water every 10 minutes and continue to cook until onions are thick and golden brown, about 55 minutes.
Stir in remaining 1/4 cup brown sugar and lemon juice and cook until brown sugar melts, 3-5 minutes more. Season to taste. Makes 1-1/4 cups.
Approximate nutritional analysis, per 2-tablespoon serving: 80 calories, 0.5 g total fat, no saturated fat or cholesterol, 150 mg sodium, 19 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 16 g sugar, 1 g protein.
More Hawaiian Electric Co. recipes are available at hawaiianelectric.com.
