The Right Onion for your need
It was long ago when my mum introduced me to cooking. I would sit on the kitchen counter and watch her cook our favorite meals. Our aunt would do the same when we went to her place and one thing I noticed was the excessive use of onions.
I was always confused as to why they used onion so much but when the dish was ready it tasted nothing like onions. I was never really fond of onions and always used to pick them out in subway and salads therefore, the use of onions disturbed me to the core.
The young curious mind was unable to understand this but now when I am standing in a cook’s shoe and I realize the importance of onions and the taste it adds to the food. It is the base of the dishes flavors.
There are different kinds of onions and all of them have different purposes. Let me tell you the types and their uses below.
Sweet Onion
Sweet onions are one of the varieties of onions you can choose from. It is a milder onion, has more water content, and low sulfur. It is also called Mauis, Vidalias, and Walla Wallahs. They have yellowish skin and are white on the inside. It has a slight onion taste and doesn’t feel very strong. It is good for frying as it doesn’t dissolve and maintain the taste of the dish.
Use for: Onion rings, Gratings, Roasted vegetables, Salads, garnishiing etc.
Red Onion
Red Onions have purple-red skin and are white and purple on the inside. It is one of the most used onion. These onions range from medium to large. They have a strong flavor and can surely make your eyes tear. Speaking of tears, I recently discovered a handy thing that sits on my upper cabinet and I use it every time I dice my onions. I use this Stainless Steel Chopper and you can use it too. It works perfectly for my needs. I just cut my onion in half and start chopping by this chopper which saves me time and doesn’t make me sob like a baby.
Funfact: The outer purple shell is also used for dye.
These onions can also be used for garnishing as they have an amazing sweet solid taste. Red onion contains 10% Vitamin C and antioxidant compounds. These antioxidants can eliminate any cancerous cells in the body so it is safe to say that these onions give good health benefits. You can also use caramelized red onions for pasta salad lunches, it tastes the best.
Use for: Salads, Grilling, Pickling, Sandwiches etc.
White Onion
White onion has paper-like skin and has a white inner color. It is also called Allium cepa. It has a sweet taste and has a 2-day shelf life. White onions have a sweet taste and can be used in different dishes. The amazing taste can enhance the flavor of any dish.
Use for: Tacos, salsa, salads, frying etc.
Yellow Onion
Whenever you want to choose an onion for a recipe always go for Yellow Onion as these onions are the best for cooking. These onions can be cooked for longer times without falling apart.
Use for: Soup, Stew, Sauces etc.
Shallot
These long elongated shallots have a very pretty shape. They are a combination of garlic and onions. These can be consumed raw or cooked, they are delicious either way. Shallots are also great because of their exceptional crunch. Shallots are very beneficial as they improve blood sugar levels, allergies, and blood circulation.
Use for: Dressing, Garnishing, etc.
To sum up, there are different varieties of onions that you can choose from. If you find a recipe that doesn’t mention the onion type then a safe option is to go for Yellow onions as those are good options.