Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Onions, Onions, Onions

Onions, Onions, Onions

Onions, as everyone knows, are wonderful, healthful vegetable orbs that can be cooked into many kinds of dishes, including pizza, salads, casseroles, breads, soups and bagels.  So yummy. (Soup recipe below.)

The healthful attributes of onions include having antibiotic properties which, when the onion is freshly cut open and eaten raw, can fight infections.  Unlike garlic, raw onions are not reputed to repel witches, but could repel just about anybody else.

In symbolism onions may picture successive layers, such as when a person delves into the hidden layers of their (or someone else's) personality.  This can be healthful or make your eyes weep, or both, just like onions.  God has advised us to "know yourself," and not to think "more highly" of yourself than you ought to think.  Peeling back some of those layers can help prevent over-rating one's self.  (At least in my case it does.)
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Recipe for Onion Soup
Have a large pot of water or beef broth coming to a boil on the stove.  Take a sharp knife and with the water running, cut off the top and bottom of one or two onions and remove the dry outer layers of the onion.  Rinse the onion, the knife and your hands in the running water as necessary, to prevent excessive tearing from your eyes. (Note: do not touch your eyes with your oniony fingers.  Try it, and you will know why.)  As quickly as is safe, cut the onion in half, and with the flat sides down, cut it into wide slices or chunks. Slide the pieces into the boiling water and, reduce heat to a simmer (simmering makes little bubbles).  Add whatever else you like and have on hand, such as: a small amount of salt, pepper, bay leaf, cut-up celery, mushrooms, a splash of wine.  Wash the knife, your cutting board and your hands with soap and warm water as soon as practical.
Cook the onion soup, covered if possible, until all the vegetables are tender. Taste to see if it needs more salt or pepper. Serve the soup in large bowls. Good with bread, or a little grated cheese or sour cream on top, and maybe some raw veggies like tomatoes or sweet peppers on the side.  Um-m.

4 comments:

  1. My favorite pizza is topped with bacon and onion.

    Lucy

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  2. Oooh I adore onions. And I love onion soup. Will try this recipe out sometime, thanks. Nice to meet you on the A-Z :)

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    Replies
    1. Nice to meet you also, Claire. Sounds like meeting you in person would be a hoot (American colloquialism for laughing good time).
      Peg

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