All content copyright Katrina Hall 2008 through 2025

Monday, November 23, 2009

thanksgiving countdown: creamed onions











Heaven help me if I forget the creamed onions again! The last time I forgot them my kids gave me no end of grief, so I made sure they were at the top of the shopping list today.

When you shop, the sign usually says "white boiling onions" - and pick through for the smaller ones , which are preferred. They're also a pain to peel, but I can deal with it once a year for my beloveds.

I won't give any amounts, since it's the process that matters, rather than the weight. Take a small onion and, using a sharp knife, shave off most of the stem end ( not the twisty Hershey's kiss top), then trim the top. Cut one onion layer through the onion, then peel away the top layer with the onion skin. Continue until all the onions are trimmed.


Place the trimmed onions in a large saucepan with a bay leaf. Fill with water, so the onions are floating with about two inches of water below them. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the onions are tender, but not falling apart.
Using a strainer, drain the onions but save the onion water. Rinse out the cooking pot, then melt a tablespoon or more of unsalted butter. Whisk in a few tablespoons of flour, then add a cup or so of the onion water to the mixture, whisking all the while. Add a teaspoon or so of thyme, and whisk , whisk, whisk in some lowfat milk ( surprise! No cream!) until the mixture is creamy but thick. Add salt and pepper to taste, then add the onions and gently stir them so they're coated. Top with a little chopped parsley and serve alongside the turkey. Delicious!


13 comments:

lululu said...

It really surprised me that there's no cream in it. And using the onion water to make the sauce sounds very interesting but i bet it must be super flavorful!
It might be good as side dish to go with any meat main course, but I think I could have it plain.

katrina said...

lululu - the kids actually prefer to eat huge plates of this, alongside the cranberry sauce. They're wonderful, and homey, and creamy and very good. But for some reason there have been a few Thanksgivings when I'd forgotten to buy and make them and a sorrier bunch you've never seen. Top of the grocery list this year!

Cristie said...

These look beautiful. They have never been served at my Thanksgiving table, but now seems like a good time to start. Wonderful post.

katrina said...

Cristie - I'm so happy to introduce you to creamed onions! I have no idea if they're a New England tradition, I just know I love them. Surprisingly, they don't have a strong onion flavor, just creamy and light - real comfort food....

Barb said...

HiKatrina ~ I've never had creamed onions either, but your photos of these little onions are so pretty! You really do have a special way with your camera - everything always looks so beautiful! Then there is that cooking thing - so I'm guessing that these are delicious too! Your kids will be so happy!

(Hey - my word verification for today is 'tooth'! Somehow that seems appropriate...)

katrina said...

Hi Barb - WHAT? You , too? Well, I'll be darned. I thought creamed onions were universal in the US of A. Well, if you're headed to Turkey Day elsewhere, you can now say, proudly "I'll bring the creamed onions!". Thank you so much for your sweet words about the blog-I've gone back to my old, somewhat broken Canon, because the new one just didn't "see" the same way. Cross your fingers my dear old camera will hold out a little longer. And "tooth"? As in "toothsome" , I hope:)

Amanda said...

Sounds wonderful! I haven't had these in a long time :) Oh and I love that blue and white dish :) happy Thanksgiving!

katrina said...

Thanks, Amanda! Got that beautiful Italiam dish on sale at Crate and Barrel for, I think, $5. I love it, and glad you do, too. love the onions, which I happily tasted today pre-Turkey Day. Love them!

Barb said...

Before it gets any crazier (cooking, cleaning, cooking, company, cooking, eating, cooking...) -

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! Enjoy a wonderful day!

katrina said...

And you too, Barb! Today derailed by visits to docs, I'm late, I'm late! Turned out to be not as serious ( blocked sinuses) as I thought, and for that, I am really, really thankful! Blessings on Thanksgiving to all of yours - and you, of course!

Michelle said...

OH MY GOSH...I have not made creamed onions in FOREVER! Totally forgot about this wonderful dish!

katrina said...

Hey,"Chelle!

These little tykes are as tasty as you remember - so, maybe Christmas Day feast?

Anonymous said...

OMIGOSH! Creamed onions are one of my favorite foods. Thanks for this, Kat.