Mar 4, 2010

Salsa di Cipolle - Onion compote recipe

On those evenings when I decide to make fondue bourguignonne, this savory compote is always a hit. The coupling of lightly cooked morsels of beef and these sensual onions au vin is emotionally touching.

3 medium red onions
1/2 lt (2 cups) good quality red wine
Butter

Trim away papery outer shells and peel the onions clean. Thinly slice them while holding a chunk of bread in your mouth to prevent teary eyes.

 Image © coingourmand


In a saucepan over low heat, simmer the onions in a tablespoon of butter. As the onions begin to sweat and become translucent, they will dry. Add small quantities of wine, little by little, allowing it to evaporate and stain the onions.

This operation requires a little patience, so relax, observe the beautiful deep burgundy color in the saucepan and inhale the fumes until you've used up all the wine.

Image © cucinaconleli



You're welcome.

20 comments:

  1. Oh! I'm in tears, not because you didn't warn me, or forgot to put the bread in my mouth- never knew this- but because of the sensual nature of this piece. How can I not be touched? It is so...
    I'll be my self again, soon....

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  2. mmm....thanks for filling the air with such sweet aroma today....smiles.

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  3. Does the bread thing really work? I must give it a try next time I chop onions. Usually I just give in to it and cry all over the place, but it plays havoc with the mascara, and isn't the ideal look if one has guests!

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  4. Just what I was wondering too, not to sound naive but really? Just put bread in your mouth? You could probably say to balance a spoon on your nose and wear a green trucker hat to prevent onion tears and I'd believe it, LOL!

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  5. Love it! gives me friday night cooking inspiration :)

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  6. The bread in mouth thing works, guaranteed. Just don't swallow it right away.

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  7. I'll put the bread thing in my mouth... for a whiff of this. Just want to cook the onions right now. Who needs anything else.

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  8. dear ms. e, you write like a nurturing day at a spa. just purple onions and you've got me salivating. (which on the passion scale is just under _______(fill in the blank) :)

    thank you for your very kind comment on my blog. i love that you are following my snippets and you know my nose is following yours.

    love
    kj

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  9. Oh, wow, that sounds so delicious!! I'm going to try my onions that way soon!! Your blog is such a source of joy (and a good amount of drooling) for me!! Love, Silke

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  10. Sounds great. I especially like the instruction to be patient, and just relax for a few moments inhaling the perfume - there should be more of that!

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  11. The sweetness of those onions must have been like sugar~~

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  12. Looking forward to trying this wine & onion salsa. Thanks for your "tearing" tip ... we've always held a metal pin in our mouths ... but I like your suggestion far better.

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  13. Lola you write like no other when it comes to food.
    I think that you could get me to eat clay...

    big love to you and may all your dreams come true.

    xx Ribbon

    PS... I look forward to the day when I can hold your cookbook in my hands... and I know that that day will come.

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  14. Wow. Bread in the mouth when chopping onions??? Why had I never heard this before. This recipe sounds amazing. I'm going to try it. Thanks!

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  15. Thank you for the tip about the bread in the mouth. All the other tips I've tried have not really worked - will give this a go later.


    xx

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  16. hi friends .. i just wanted to invite you to visit my blog its all about cute babies and other things. thanks ...... COME ON ... a beautiful site. You will absolutely love it.

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  17. no kidding? bread in mouth stops the tears? I am going to try that (I have been crying for too long), but what kind of bread?
    you have a fabulous blog

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  18. Thank you Sarah!
    Any kind of bread... it's the gluten... wheat... whatever base particles that annul the acid in the onion juice.

    Ciao!

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