Onion Confit On Garlic Toasts Recipes

DAVID TANIS'S ONION CONFIT

Steps:

• Cut onions in half from top to bottom (not crosswise). With a paring knife, peel each onion half. Lay each onion half flat side down. Holding the knife at a slight angle, cut away and discard the hard root end. Using a sharp knife, cut into 1/4-inch half-moons.
• Put a large heavy-bottomed pot, preferably enameled cast iron, over medium-high heat. Melt butter, then add all the sliced onions and stir to coat. Sprinkle with sugar and season generously with salt and pepper. Continue stirring until onions begin to wilt and soften, without browning, about 5 to 8 minutes.
• Add bay leaves, thyme, cayenne, vinegar and wine. Reduce heat to medium and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until onion mixture is quite soft and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 30 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning. Remove and discard bay leaves and thyme. Serve warm.

GARLIC CONFIT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Using a serrated knife, remove the top third of each head. Place garlic, cut-sides down, in a 6-cup loaf pan. Add thyme and enough oil to just cover (about 2 cups). Cover with parchment-lined foil and bake until garlic is soft, 1 hour to 1 hour, 15 minutes. Let cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate up to 2 weeks. (Oil can be strained after a day or two and refrigerated separately.)

BUFFALO STEAK AND ONION CONFIT ON GARLIC TOASTS

Steps:

• Make onion confit:
• Halve onions and cut each half lengthwise into 6 wedges. In a 2-quart heavy saucepan heat oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and sauté onions, stirring, until edges are golden brown, about 2 minutes. Stir in remaining confit ingredients and simmer, covered, until onions are tender, about 20 minutes. Remove lid and simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid is slightly thickened and syrupy, about 10 minutes more. Discard star anise. Keep confit warm, covered.
• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Trim fat from steaks and cut each steak into 4 equal pieces. Pat steak dry and season with salt and pepper. In a large nonstick skillet heat oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and brown steak on both sides, about 3 minutes total. Transfer steak to a roasting pan and roast in middle of oven about 5 minutes for medium-rare. Let steak stand 5 minutes.
• While steak is roasting, halve garlic clove. On a baking sheet in oven with steaks or in a toaster toast bread until golden brown. Immediately rub toasted bread with cut sides of garlic.
• Serve steak and onion confit on toasts with roasted beet wedges and garlic-beet purée.

VIDALIA ONION CONFIT WITH GARLIC TOASTS

Steps:

• Position an oven rack 4 inches below the broiler element and preheat the broiler. To make the toasts, arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush on one side with some of the olive oil. Broil until brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn the toasts and broil the other side. Remove the toasts from the oven and while warm, rub one side of each toast with the cut surfaces of the garlic clove. Transfer to a rack to cool.
• To make the confit, heat the butter and remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and sugar, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the wine and cook, stirring occasionally, until the wine is reduced and the onions are a deep golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes more. Add the thyme; taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper.
• To serve, place the reserved toasts on a large serving platter and top each piece with a spoonful of confit. Garnish each with a sprig of thyme.
• making ahead
• The toasts can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored at room temperature in an airtight container. The confit can also be made ahead and will actually improve as the flavors marry. Refrigerate the confit in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• storing onions
• Onions need circulating air to stay fresh. Vidalia onions are particularly tricky due to their high sugar content. One of the best ways to store Vidalia onions is in the cut-off legs of pantyhose: drop an onion down the leg, tie a knot, and repeat. Hang the onion-filled hose from a hook in a cool, dry place. They will keep for months. Alternatively, wrap them separately in paper towels and refrigerate.