Red onion preserves: The unexpected twist for holiday feasts
Do preserves make you think of a sweet, fruity taste? Those are indeed the most popular. However, they can also be prepared in a savoury version. My favourite is the one with red onion. It's perfect for many holiday dishes.
During festive holiday gatherings, we also focus on exquisite side dishes. To accompany pâté and roasted meats—which appear on the table on the first day of the holidays—beetroot relish, horseradish, tartar sauce, or cranberry sauce work well. For years, I've been preparing something else, and I must admit, this side dish is the most popular.
How to surprise your guests?
It's red onion preserves. Not everyone is familiar with onions in this form yet, and it's a true delight for the palate. Additionally, the recipe is simple, and the ingredients are inexpensive. It's easy to prepare and surprise your guests. It pairs well not only with meat delicacies but also with cheeses. You only need a few more ingredients besides red onions—vinegar, red wine, sugar, honey, and spices. Add raisins or cranberries to these preserves for a more pronounced sweet accent.
Red is healthier
It's best to make red onion preserves immediately and have them on hand. They can be stored in the refrigerator for several months. Once you savour them, you'll find they even suit plain sandwiches, enhancing the flavour of any dish. It's best to prepare them with fresh, firm onions. Red onions are milder in taste and more valuable than white ones. They contain more dietary fibre and minerals. Red onions are considered the healthiest because they contain the most nutrients.
Red Onion Preserves
Ingredients:
- 900 g of red onions,
- 120 ml of dry red wine,
- 60 ml of red wine vinegar,
- 85 g of dark brown sugar,
- honey to taste,
- 4 tablespoons of raisins or cranberries,
- 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar,
- 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil,
- 1-2 bay leaves,
- salt, pepper, and coriander to taste.
Preparation method:
- Peel the onions and slice them thinly.
- Add them to heated olive oil, sauté, and then simmer covered on low heat for about 30 minutes.
- Next, add sugar and honey and continue to simmer until the onions soften and achieve a caramel flavour. This may take over half an hour.
- Add raisins or cranberries, wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and and wine, and season to taste. Continue simmering the onions until they thicken. The preserves are ready when they are.
- Transfer the hot preserves to washed and sterilised jars, then seal them.
- Once the preserves cool, place the jars in the refrigerator.
