Homemade Braised Onions Are a Deliciously Awesome Holiday Gift

Braised onions may not leap to mind when you think of holiday gifts, but when you pair this recipe from our class Sweet & Savory Food Gifts, with all the all the makings of French onion soup, it’s a game-changer. Just spoon the onions into a jar, seal it tight and include the recipe for French onion soup on the tag. Add a loaf of crusty French bread, some flavorful Gruyere cheese and — bam! — you’ve got yourself the best food gift ever.

Homemade Braised Onions

Yield: 2 jars

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Prep the Onions

Trim the ends from the onions, then cut each onion in half lengthwise. Cut each half into ¼”-thick moon-shaped slices.

2. Cook ‘Em Low and Slow

Place the butter in the bottom of an electric slow cooker. Add the onions and scatter with the thyme. Place the lid on the cooker, set the cooking mode to high, then let sit for two hours.

After two hours, use a spatula to stir the onion mixture. Set the timer for another six hours and continue to cook the onions on high, without stirring.

3. Cool and Store

Turn the power off, remove the cover and give the onions a stir. Let the onions cool in the ceramic insert for one hour.

Ladle the onions into jars through a wide-mouth funnel. Let cool completely, then cover and refrigerate. The onions will keep for about five days in the fridge.

Winter Weekend French Onion Soup

With the onions fixed in advance, this heavenly soup comes together in literally minutes.

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Make the Soup

Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until the flour is absorbed and begins to turn golden. Add the sugar and whisk to dissolve. Add the onions and stock and bring to a simmer. Season to taste.

2. Assemble and Serve

Have six thick slices of toasted French bread and six thick slices of Gruyère cheese ready. Divide the soup among six heatproof bowls. Top each with a bread and cheese slice. Place on a rimmed baking sheet. Broil until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Serve immediately.