Onions are one of the most widely used food items in cooking because of the luscious flavor they add to the dishes. The onions get sweeter as they cook and release a lot of flavor. Also known as Birista or Caramelized onions. Fried onions are widely used in layering Pulao and Biryani recipes, while also using in making delicious gravy’s/curry’s, it can also used as a ‘fried onion paste’ accordingly. But, we believe making the perfect fried onions is an art that needs to be followed with certain tips and secret ingredients that we are about to share with you, Shhh! thus we, BonGappétit brings you 2 different methods of making the Perfect Brown Onions for your next Biryani or Pulao recipe.
What is Caramelized Onions?
To caramelize is to slowly cook a food until it turns sweet, nutty, and brown. When a cook caramelizes chopped or sliced onions, she gently cooks it in a oil, usually for a long time at a low temperature, until the sugars in the onion begin to brown and become very sweet. – Google
Whats the difference between caramelized onions an sautéed onions?
Browning or sautéing onions is a relatively quicker process of browning the outside of onions using a high-temp oil and medium-high heat. Caramelizing on the other hand is the slower process of sautéing onions in olive oil on medium to medium-low heat over a period of about an hour until the onions are completely browned.
Caramelized Onions are used in many different recipes or in cooking process to make varieties of food items in the kitchen and it is super easy to make. Any onion will be caramelized, so don’t be shy about experimenting. I rarely cook with white onions, but I imagine they’ll caramelize just like the rest and therefore, on this blog post, I’ll quickly guide you on How to Caramelize Onions in two different ways or method.
Method 1- Ingredients:
| Items | Quantity |
| Onions (preferably large size) | Quantities as required |
| Oil | for deep frying. |
Preparation:
- Slice the onions lengthwise, from stem to root. Make sure the slices are even.
- Separate the onion slices by hand and keep aside.
Process:
Step 1: Heat enough oil in a pan or skillet for deep frying. The oil should be medium hot.
Step 2: Drop the onion slices in the hot oil. Keep the flame on medium to high level. Regulate the heat if the oil is getting too hot. (The frying process should take about 10-12 mins. approximately)
Step 3: Keep stirring the onions continuously so as not to burn the edges.
Step 4: Watch for the change in color of the onions. Once they start turning light brown, it’s almost time to remove from oil.
Step 5: Once they are slight golden remove from oil, make sure you remove them fast enough during this process or else the onions will darken entirely & turn bitter.
Step 6: Spread the fried onions on a plate. The color will darken a bit more after removing. Let the fried onions rest for 15-20 mins.
Do not use a kitchen tissue. It will make the onions lose the crispiness.
Method 2- Ingredients:
| Items | Quantity |
| Onions (preferably large size) | Quantities as required |
| Corn Starch/Corn flour | 1 tbsp |
| Oil | for deep frying. |
Process:
Step 1: Mix 1 tbsp corn flour with sliced onions. Mix and coat well.
Step 2: Heat enough oil in a pan or skillet for deep frying. The oil should be medium hot. Drop the corn flour coated onion slices in the hot oil. Keep the flame on medium to high level.
Step 3: Keep stirring the onions continuously so as not to burn the edges. (should take 5-6 minutes approx. to fry)
Step 4: Watch for the change in color of the onions. Once they start turning light brown, it’s almost time to remove from oil.
Step 5: Once they are slight golden remove from oil, make sure you remove them fast enough during this process or else the onions will darken entirely & turn bitter.
Step 6: Spread the fried onions on a plate. The color will darken a bit more after removing. Let the fried onions rest for 15-20 mins.
Why use corn flour to fry onions?
- Corn flour mixed onions fry faster, takes approximately lesser time compared to Method 1.
- Corn flour mixed onions are more crispier, sweeter & lighter in shade compared to normal fried onions.
If you liked our recipe on ‘How to Brown Onions -2 Ways’ do like, share, comment and subscribe to my blog and also subscribe to our new Youtube Chanel – bongappétit for many more such exclusively, authentic and delicious food recipes at home. Stay Safe, Stay Healthy!
Follow my Food Journey on Social Media :
Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/c/BonGappétitIndia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rakhijana_
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/rakhi.jana.9/
BonGappétit
Images are subject to copyright.©
BonGappétit 
It’s truly a nice and useful piece of information. I am glad that you just shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLike