The Nutrition Professor's "Cook Smart" caramelized onions

Timaree Hagenburger
The Nutrition Professor
Cosumnes River College, Sacramento
www.thenutritionprofessor.com

No need to stand over a saucepan to produce wonderful caramelized onions. Let the oven do the work! While these are cooking, you can relax and just think about all the ways you'll be able to enjoy eating these beauties.

Ingredients

4 to 5 red onions, sliced (see tips)
1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper

Directions

Toss onions with vinegar, salt and pepper. Arrange on 2 baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Roast onions at 350 degrees until golden brown and sweet, about 30 minutes, stirring every 7 to 10 minutes. Enjoy on sandwiches, salads, grain and bean dishes, pizza, wraps and more. Let your imagination lead the way! They even freeze like a dream.

Prep Smart, Cook Smart Tips:

Don't forget that many of the health-promoting phytonutrients in onions are in the first few layers, so only peel off the papery skin.
Because it is ideal to have onion slices that are of uniform thickness, this is the perfect job for a food processor with a slicer blade, if you have one.