No need to cook to get the sweetness of traditional caramelized onions. Date paste combined with olive oil and tamari make this a go-to condiment when showcasing your raw dishes.
Steps
1
Preparing the Onions
Ingredients
8 shallots or 2 medium red onions, peeled and sliced
3 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp tamari
1 clove garlic, minced
3 tbsp date paste
To prepare the condiment, using a mandolin, slice the onions or shallots paper–thin.
In mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, tamari, garlic and date paste until smooth.
Add the sliced onions and toss all ingredients well, coating and pressing the onions thoroughly with your hands.
Marinate for at least one hour at room temperature to soften . For best results marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
Serve as a condiment to salads, in wraps or on sandwiches.
Hi Antoinette - thanks so much for your question. So Date Paste, also called Date Honey sometimes is a fruit sweetener that you can use in place of honey or maple syrup in recipes. We like to use it in place of sugar in many recipes. We've purchased it at Whole Foods and even Walmart. I hope this helps! All the best, Chef Kirk
Hi Kathy,
Absolutely. When you use oil, it keeps the vegetables coated which helps hold in their moisture and can add substance/ mouthfeel to the texture. If you want to omit oil, you will have a more intense flavor and the onions will soften more quickly. That will lead to a more pickled or wilted outcome. I think it will be great, let us know.
Lauren
Hi Violet, Although the word "tamarind" contains the spelling of the word "tamari" they are not connected in any way. Tamari is a Japanese form of soy sauce, usually less salty than regular soy sauce. Tamarind is a fruit. Ripe tamarinds are made into paste, which is used in chutneys, sauces, marinades and sweets. I don't think tamarinds would work for this recipe though!
Hi, Joey- Truth be told, it never lasts long because everyone devours it quickly. Ideally, five days. You can also reduce the recipe and make a smaller batch. I think it would look great on your beautiful dishes! Thanks for writing, Char
Kirk B •Hi Antoinette - thanks so much for your question. So Date Paste, also called Date Honey sometimes is a fruit sweetener that you can use in place of honey or maple syrup in recipes. We like to use it in place of sugar in many recipes. We've purchased it at Whole Foods and even Walmart. I hope this helps! All the best, Chef Kirk
Kathy G •You can also make your own. It is just soaked dates processed in the food processor with a little water.
Lauren L •Hi Kathy, Absolutely. When you use oil, it keeps the vegetables coated which helps hold in their moisture and can add substance/ mouthfeel to the texture. If you want to omit oil, you will have a more intense flavor and the onions will soften more quickly. That will lead to a more pickled or wilted outcome. I think it will be great, let us know. Lauren
Deann H • Rouxbe Staff •Hi Violet, Although the word "tamarind" contains the spelling of the word "tamari" they are not connected in any way. Tamari is a Japanese form of soy sauce, usually less salty than regular soy sauce. Tamarind is a fruit. Ripe tamarinds are made into paste, which is used in chutneys, sauces, marinades and sweets. I don't think tamarinds would work for this recipe though!
Char N • Rouxbe Staff •Hi, Joey- Truth be told, it never lasts long because everyone devours it quickly. Ideally, five days. You can also reduce the recipe and make a smaller batch. I think it would look great on your beautiful dishes! Thanks for writing, Char