Braised Chestnut And Pearl Onion Confit Recipes

BRAISED ONIONS AND CHESTNUTS

Steps:

• With a sharp knife, cut a cross in the rounded side of each chestnut. Bring a large pan of water to a boil. Immerse chestnuts, and let boil for about 3 minutes. Turn off heat, but leave chestnuts in hot water. Extract them one at a time, and remove shell and inner lining that clings to the meat. If necessary, return nuts to hot water, and boil another minute or two. When all chestnuts have been peeled, set them aside.
• Cut off onion tops. Trim root end to make a neat appearance, but leave enough of it intact to hold the onions together while cooking. Peel onions.
• In wide casserole or deep saute pan that can go into the oven, melt butter in corn oil. When butter foam has subsided, add onions, and cook over medium heat 10 to 15 minutes, turning frequently, to brown all over.
• Add chestnuts to onions and mix well. Add glace de viande, wine and black pepper. When wine is bubbling, place a round of buttered aluminum foil directly over chestnuts and onions, cover pan, and place in a 350-degree oven. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until onions can be pierced through with a knife but are still firm and hold their shape. There should be a small amount of syrupy liquid in the bottom of the pan. If there is too much, place over medium-high heat for a few minutes to reduce. Serve immediately.

BRAISED ONIONS A LA JULIA CHILD

Steps:

• If you are using fresh pearl onions, they are easier to peel if you blanch them in boiling water for 30 seconds and then run them under cold water to cool.
• If you are using frozen pearl onions, make sure they are defrosted and drained.
• Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet and add the onions to the skillet.
• Saute over medium heat for about ten minutes, rolling the onions about so they brown as evenly as possible without breaking apart.
• Pour in the stock, add the herbs, and cover.
• Simmer over low heat for about 40 to 50 minutes until the onions are perfectly tender but retain their shape and the liquid has mostly evaporated.
• Remove the herbs, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve.

BRAISED BRUSSELS SPROUTS, PEARL ONIONS AND CHESTNUTS

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook until golden brown, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Add broth and bay leaves. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until onions are tender, 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook fresh Brussels sprouts in large pot of boiling salted water until just crisp-tender, about 8 minutes. Drain. (Or cook frozen Brussels sprouts according to package directions.) Rinse with cold water. Drain.
• Add chestnuts to onions, cover and simmer until chestnuts are tender, about 4 minutes. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover onion mixture and Brussels sprouts separately and refrigerate. Reheat onion mixture before continuing.) Add Brussels sprouts to onions. Boil until Brussels sprouts are heated through and liquid is syrupy, about 4 minutes. Season vegetables with salt and pepper and serve.

CHANTERELLES WITH CHESTNUTS AND PEARL ONIONS

Steps:

• Using a small, sharp knife, cut an X in the rounded side of each chestnut. In a small saucepan over high heat, bring 2 cups (16 fl oz/500 ml) water to a boil. Add the chestnuts. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer until the nuts are tender, about 30 minutes. Drain the chestnuts and, while they are still hot, remove both the hard outer shell and the thin, brown inner skin.
• Using a small, sharp, knife, carefully trim away the roots from the onions without cutting into the ends. Cut a shallow cross into the stem end of each onion to prevent it from telescoping during cooking. In a saucepan over high heat, combine the onions with water to cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer, uncovered, until barely tender, 8-10 minutes. Drain, let cool slightly, and then slip off the peels. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
• If the mushrooms are small, leave them whole; if they are large, slice them thickly. In a large sauté pan over high heat, melt half of the butter. Add half of the mushrooms and sauté until softened, 3-5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Repeat with the remaining butter and mushrooms and add to the bowl.
• Add the cooked chestnuts and onions and the chopped thyme to the mushrooms. Pour in enough broth to moisten the mixture and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a baking dish. Bake until heated through, about 15 minutes. Serve right away.
• About chanterelles
• The most common chanterelles are golden and trumpet shaped and have a subtle apricot taste. Other members of the chanterelle family include white, red, and yellow foot chanterelles and the black trumpet mushroom. At the market, select chanterelles with firm, fleshy caps and no sign of dampness.

BRAISED CHESTNUT AND PEARL ONION CONFIT

Steps:

• Blanch onions in a large saucepan of boiling water 3 minutes, then drain and transfer to a bowl of ice and cold water. Drain onions and peel.
• Cook chestnuts in 3 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes. Add broth and celery and cook at a bare simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced to about 1/4 cup, about 10 minutes.
• While chestnuts are cooking, heat remaining 3 tablespoons butter in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then sauté shallots and peeled onions with thyme and salt and pepper to taste, stirring, until onions are tender and golden brown in patches. Add wine and simmer until slightly reduced, about 2 minutes.
• Gently stir onion mixture into chestnut mixture and season with salt and pepper.