Description
Creamed Pearl Onions are a rich and creamy side dish featuring tender, caramelized pearl onions in a thyme-infused sauce. This comforting recipe is perfect for special occasions or as a delightful addition to any meal, sure to impress your guests!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound pearl onions, peeled
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Start by bringing a pot of water to a boil. Youll want enough water to cover the onions completely.
- Once the water is boiling, carefully add the pearl onions. Let them cook for about 2-3 minutes. This blanching process will make peeling them a breeze.
- After the time is up, drain the onions and immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water. This will stop the cooking process and help cool them down.
- Once theyre cool enough to handle, gently squeeze each onion; the skins should slip right off. If you find any stubborn skins, you can use a small knife to help remove them.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter and olive oil over medium heat. The combination of butter and oil will give the onions a rich flavor while preventing the butter from burning.
- Once the butter is melted and bubbly, add the peeled pearl onions to the skillet. Stir them gently to coat them in the butter and oil.
- Sprinkle the sugar over the onions. This will help caramelize them and enhance their natural sweetness. Cook the onions for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are golden brown and tender.
- Season the onions with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Dont be shy with the seasoning; it really brings out the flavors!
- In a separate saucepan, pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Be careful not to let it boil, as we want a smooth and creamy texture.
- Add the fresh thyme leaves (or dried thyme if thats what you have on hand) to the cream. The thyme will infuse the cream with a lovely herbal flavor.
- Let the cream simmer for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want it to thicken slightly but still be pourable.
- If youre using Parmesan cheese, stir it in now. The cheese will melt into the cream, adding a deliciously cheesy richness to the sauce.
- Once the cream has thickened to your liking, taste it and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Once the pearl onions are beautifully caramelized and the cream sauce is ready, pour the cream sauce over the onions in the skillet. Gently stir to combine, ensuring that all the onions are coated in that luscious cream.
- Let the mixture simmer together for an additional 5 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
- If you want a thicker sauce, you can let it simmer a bit longer, but keep an eye on it to prevent it from reducing too much.
- Transfer the creamed pearl onions to a serving dish. You can use a beautiful bowl or a rustic plattergarnish with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, ensure the Parmesan cheese is rennet-free.
- You can substitute pearl onions with shallots if needed, but the cooking time may vary slightly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes