As we start to prepare for colder temperatures to come in this fall season, we start to switch to hardy ingredients, and onions are the perfect example.
Onions are a staple in everyone’s pantry, as they are extremely versatile and add a deliciously pungent flavour to any meal. Here are some nutritional facts that onions are popular for having:
Onions are highly immune boosting foods – onions have sulfur-containing compounds, which are responsible for fighting against free radical damage, flus, cancer and more.
They are able to fight against bad bacteria – onions also contain antibacterial properties that can, along with garlic, destroy bad bacteria in the gut as well as in infected areas of the body.
Onions can help with weight loss – they are powerful digestive aids that can help with boosting your metabolism and breaking down large meals.
Here are some delicious appetizers, starring onions!:
WHITE ONION AND MUSHROOM BAGUETTES:
In a small pan on medium heat, add 1 tbsp. of organic butter (or olive oil), 1 tsp. minced garlic, 2 handfuls of organic cremini mushrooms, ½ a white onion loosely chopped, sea salt and black pepper to taste, and cook down for 5-7 minutes until onions are caramelized. Toast small slices of a white baguette with a thin slice of gruyere cheese on each slice until cheese has melted. Add 1 spoonful of mushroom and onion mixture to baguette slices and serve warm.
PEAS WITH PANCETTA AND RED ONION:
Bring a small pot of water to a boil and cook 1-2 C of organic green peas until soft (can be frozen or fresh). In a pan on medium heat, add 1 tbsp. olive oil, minced garlic, ½ C chopped pancetta (or organic bacon), ½ C organic red onion finely chopped, sea salt and pepper, and cook until onions begin to caramelize. Add peas and cook for 4 minutes. Serve warm as an appetizer or side to any meal!
MINI STUFFED POTATOES WITH GREEN ONION:
In a pot of boiling water, add 10 mini yellow potatoes and cook for 15 minutes, or until you can pierce them with a fork easily. Strain water and remove potatoes from heat.
Slice potatoes in half and remove most of the potato from its skin (keep the base!). In a bowl, mash together the potato, 1 tbsp. organic butter, 2 tbsp. organic milk (of your choice), sea salt, black pepper, shredded organic cheddar cheese (to taste) and green onions. Add the potato mixture back to the potato skins as you would a twice-baked potato and enjoy!
