Savoury red onion preserves: Your holiday table's secret weapon
Do preserves make you think of a sweet, fruity taste? Those are 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. Beetroot relish, horseradish, tartar sauce, or cranberry sauce work well with pâté and roasted meats, which appear on the table on the very first day of the holidays. Although I've been preparing something else for years, this side dish is the most popular.
How to surprise your guests?
It's red onion preserves. Not everyone is familiar with onion 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 right away to have 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. The red ones are not only milder in taste but also more valuable than white ones. They have a higher amount of 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, 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, continuing 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, wine, and season to taste. Continue to simmer the onions; the preserves are ready when thickened.
- Transfer the hot preserves to washed and sterilized jars, and seal them.
- When the preserves cool, place the jars in the refrigerator.
