Better broth? Grandma’s onion trick works

If we were to look for an ingredient used in kitchens day in and day out, it would most likely be the humble onion. This vegetable can be used in a wide variety of dishes, adding great flavor to them. It works well in soups and forms the basis of goulash and other dishes. In the past, onions were stored whole in the freezer. This trick from our grandmothers simply worked. They knew exactly why they put onions in the freezer and what benefits it could bring them throughout the year.

Onions last for several months in the freezer

Onions were available any time of year. Grandmothers simply put them in the freezer after harvest and could take them out whenever they wanted or needed them to prepare meals. Putting onions in the freezer is a breeze. Just clean them thoroughly and then place them in the freezer. They’ll freeze solid and preserve themselves. You can then take them out whenever needed.

Photo: Radek Stepan

Onions must be frozen slowly

This is very important. A common mistake is made when thawing onions. They thaw very quickly. If that happens, the onions will likely lose some of their qualities. They’ll lose some of their flavor and aroma. If you thaw the onions very gradually, nothing bad will happen. You’ll end up with high-quality onions that are practically as good as fresh. Plus, they won’t make your eyes water when you slice them, which is also great.

Tip: Onions won’t spoil during storage. Plain flour will help.

Onions can literally work wonders in soup

That’s right. Our grandmothers used to add frozen onions to broth. They gave it the necessary body. In other words, the onions made the broth even richer and more flavorful. They also helped keep the soup from becoming too cloudy, which otherwise tends to happen quite easily. Chicken broth, in particular, tends to be very cloudy unless you skim the scum off the surface. If you simply add the onion straight from the freezer to the water and start simmering slowly, it won’t thaw too quickly.

Sources: Author, tojenapad.sk, ireceptar.cz

Preview photo: Pixabay