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Author Topic: No more bitter onions for me  (read 9,121 times)

AI Summary
The discussion centers around the technique of soaking chopped onions in water to reduce their bitterness, which the original poster discovered from a local chef. Several participants share their experiences with this method, noting that while some have never encountered bitterness in their onion bases, others find the soaking beneficial. There is a general consensus that soaking can be a useful technique, although opinions vary on its necessity and impact on flavor.

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Offline noble ox

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No more bitter onions for me
« on: October 30, 2014, 08:25 PM »
Noticing a bucket of chopped onions in water in a local Bir a few weeks ago I had to ask why assuming it was to stop the fumes irritating eyes etc  :'(
To my surprise the chef said it takes the bitterness out of the onions
At home the experiments began 1st was a bitter onion chopped then put in very cold water for 20 mins
drained then I made some dips red onion and WOW no bitter tastes
Onion bargee was next WOW again
A base was next 4kgs in water 25mins drained JBs base it was which I like WOW again
After a search on google its quite common in Spain and Mexico to tame the raw onions
So have we all missed this so obvious technique
For me this is a revolution   ;D


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Offline livo

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Re: No more bitter onions for me
« Reply #1 on: October 30, 2014, 08:51 PM »
I'm in.  NO, have you made a dish out of the base? Did you find it was a milestone?
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Offline Geezah

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Re: No more bitter onions for me
« Reply #2 on: October 30, 2014, 09:35 PM »
This is not something new in my book.
Peel and chop onions, allow to sit in 3x their own volume of water for 1/2 hr, drain & rinse, then use said onions to make a base.
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Offline ELW

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Re: No more bitter onions for me
« Reply #3 on: October 30, 2014, 09:42 PM »
...or cook a the 4 kg onion base for 3 hrs minimum. Chuck some coconut block in if you want it sweeter. That's why its used

I'd agree with you about raw onion though, the type used in the burger chains are great & can't be bought in supermarkets as far as I know

ELW
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Offline noble ox

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Re: No more bitter onions for me
« Reply #4 on: October 31, 2014, 09:12 AM »
Livo
A much better base and curry taste the onions before and after for evidence
Geezah
If its not new why has it not come to our attention ?
ELW
Even when adding coconut it does not hide the bitter harshness sometimes found
Much easier with agreeable onions
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Offline Madrasandy

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Re: No more bitter onions for me
« Reply #5 on: October 31, 2014, 01:04 PM »
Surely soaking in water first removes some of the magic that creates the flavour and aroma of a bir base  ;)
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Offline bamble1976

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Re: No more bitter onions for me
« Reply #6 on: October 31, 2014, 01:25 PM »
I do it regularly for my spiced onions but never for my base.  I never get a bitterness coming through in the base that I can detect??

barry
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Offline macferret

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Re: No more bitter onions for me
« Reply #7 on: October 31, 2014, 04:00 PM »
When I first moved to France I had endless problems trying to get onions as sweet as the Dutch ones we used to get from the Indian wholesaler in the UK. I even tried growing my own!  But we found that simply cooking the gravy for longer solves the problem.  Soaking in water is worth a try too though, N-O - thanks.
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Offline curryhell

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Re: No more bitter onions for me
« Reply #8 on: October 31, 2014, 04:53 PM »
Very useful snippet of info.  Personally never had a bitter tasting base. If could certainly have its uses though.  And I too am surprised this has not come to light before :o But at least it's on here first.  Thanks NO
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Offline noble ox

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Re: No more bitter onions for me
« Reply #9 on: October 31, 2014, 05:28 PM »
MA
My thoughts exactly until I tried it out
So simple  :D
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