Description
Creamy winter comfort awaits with these classic Joy of Cooking creamed onions. Silky pearl onions nestled in a rich, velvety sauce promise pure holiday warmth you’ll savor down to the last delectable spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 4 cups (946 ml) pearl onions
Fresh Herbs and Cheese:
- ¼ cup (59 ml) minced fresh parsley
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) grated Parmesan cheese
Cooking Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) butter
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
- Dash pepper
- ¾ cup (177 ml) chicken broth
- ¾ cup (177 ml) half-and-half cream
- Pimiento strips, optional
Instructions
- Boil 8 cups (1.9 liters) of water in a large Dutch oven or kettle. Cook pearl onions for 6-7 minutes until tender, then rinse under cold water to remove skins and drain completely.
- In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour, salt, and pepper to create a smooth roux, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Gradually pour cream and water into the roux, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Continue cooking and stirring until the mixture thickens and reaches a smooth, velvety consistency.
- Incorporate shredded cheese, cooked pearl onions, and chopped fresh parsley into the sauce. Stir until cheese melts and ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Transfer the creamy onion mixture to an ungreased 1.5-quart (1.4 liters) baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to meld.
- Remove the dish from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking to bring to room temperature. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake covered for 15 minutes, then remove from oven and gently stir. Optional: sprinkle diced pimientos on top for added color and flavor.
- Return to oven, covered, and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the dish is heated through and bubbling around the edges.
Notes
- Broiling brings out a golden, crispy crust that transforms ordinary creamed onions into an extraordinary side dish, providing a delightful textural contrast with minimal effort.
- Baking at a lower temperature allows flavors to gently meld together, creating a more harmonious and deeply developed taste profile throughout the entire dish.
- Seasoning plays a critical role in elevating the sauce’s complexity, with subtle additions like nutmeg potentially unlocking unexpected depth and warmth in the final preparation.
- Smooth sauce development depends on careful liquid incorporation, requiring constant stirring and gradual addition to prevent unwelcome lumps from forming in the creamy base.
- Precise roux preparation sets the foundation for a velvety sauce, demanding careful whisking and attention to eliminate any potential flour clumps before liquid integration begins.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Boiling, Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 175 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 238 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 33 mg