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    Home » Sides » Double the Onions, Please!

    Double the Onions, Please!

    Aug 1, 2017 · by Valentina · 38 Comments

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    My mom sautéed delicious onions daily, and whenever dining out, she'd say "double the onions, please."  Sauteed Onions in cast iron skillet

    After a long and difficult struggle with Parkinson’s Disease, my mom passed away on July 29, 2017. While I will miss her terribly, I’m also flooded with wonderful memories, and am relieved she’s finally at peace.

    Valentina when she was little with her mom holding her.
    My mom and me.

    There are so many things I could talk about in my mom’s memory: her exquisite antique collection, the stunning home she designed and lived in with my dad for over 50 years, the 2,000 plus trees she was responsible for planting in our community, what a loving mother she was and so on . . . today I would like to share her cooking and love of onions.

    The scent of sautéing onions . . . .

    When I’d come home from school, as soon I’d enter the house, the aroma of onions wafted to the front door. Every single school day.

    When I’d sleep in on the weekends, I’d awake to the delicious smell of the caramelizing onions. Every single weekend.

    And every day around five in the afternoon, the scent of the sautéing onions would travel through the hallways, making its way into every room. Every day!

    In addition to whatever delicious food my mom was cooking on her beautiful O’Keefe and Merritt stove (which had belonged to her mom), there was always a pan of onions going. Always. She was simply not in the kitchen without cooking onions. It was the start of every savory dish — the foundation. Oh, sure, garlic would likely make its way in eventually, but it was never quite as important as the onions were.

    O'keefe & Merritt Stove in beautiful, anitque kitchen
    My mom's kitchen she designed with my grandmother's stove.

    No recipes needed . . .

    My mom rarely, if ever, used a recipe. If she did, it was only as a guide, and it featured her own notes penciled into the margins.

    Her every dish was spot on. The flavors were always magnificent.  We’re talking about the types of flavors you could never get enough of, even if you were full.  Second and third helpings were always had in my house. Always.

    And she cooked with whole, healthy ingredients. Whenever possible, they were from my dad’s backyard garden.

    My-Mom running to my toddler son on the grass.
    My mom with my now 13-year-old son.

    Beginning with onions of course, my mom created masterpieces from leftovers. Her meals had many secret ingredients, which were often from the surplus of dipping sauces she would collect from her favorite Thai restaurant.

    My mom never — never ever — ordered anything in a restaurant without extra onions. Whether it was a pizza, a chicken dish, a salad, you name it, she’d say, “double the onions, please.”

    My mom holding my baby boy in rocking chair.
    My mom and my now 11-year-old son.

    Donations can be made in honor of my mom to The Michael J. Fox Foundation — or, you could fill your home with the scent of sautéing onions, as my mom would . . . .

    Sauteed Onions in cast iron skillet

    Quick Caramelized Onions

    Valentina K. Wein
    My mom sautéed delicious onions daily, and whenever dining out, she'd say "double the onions, please." My entire family loves her quick caramelized onions with pretty much everything.
    *Use whatever measurements you'd like.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Side Dish, Ingredient
    Cuisine American

    Ingredients
      

    • olive oil
    • onions, thinly sliced
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Add enough olive oil to coat the bottom of a heavy-bottomed sauté pan.
    • Add thinly sliced onions and place the pan over medium heat.
    • Sauté, stirring occasionally, until they are as golden as you’d like. My mom liked them caramelized, but with a bit of a crunch, which for about 2 cups of sliced onions, would be about 15 to 20 minutes.
    • Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Here's How to Season to Taste.)
    Keywords great side dishes for meats and stews
    Have you tried this recipe?I'd love to see it on Instagram! Tag me at @cookingontheweekends or leave a comment & rating below.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Priscilla

      August 01, 2017 at 7:51 pm

      What a lovely tribute, Valentina. I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom did many wonderful things and your love lives on, heightened by the aroma of caramelized onions.

      Reply
      • valentina

        August 02, 2017 at 7:15 pm

        Thank you so much, Priscilla. xo

        Reply
    2. Judy

      August 01, 2017 at 8:31 pm

      An incredible tribute to your mom. You will carry her memory with you always, yet each time you smell onions cooking you'll know that she's smiling at you.

      Reply
      • valentina

        August 02, 2017 at 7:15 pm

        Love this, Judy. Thank you. xo

        Reply
    3. Sue schmidt

      August 01, 2017 at 8:58 pm

      Love and sympathy to you and your family, Valentina. I will step up my sautéing of onions and think of you and your mom. Thanks to her we have two large and beautiful trees in our parkway.

      Reply
      • valentina

        August 02, 2017 at 7:16 pm

        Thank you, Sue. Oh, I love that your parkway trees are a result of my mom's efforts. That makes me happy. xo

        Reply
    4. SueB

      August 01, 2017 at 9:28 pm

      So sorry to hear the news, Valentina. Sending love and condolences to you.

      I hope you will continue to share wonderful memories of and recipes from your mother.

      Blessings.

      Bring on the onions!

      Reply
      • valentina

        August 02, 2017 at 7:17 pm

        Thank you very much, Sue. xo (P.S. Buzz and I miss you!)

        Reply
    5. Caz McLaughlin

      August 01, 2017 at 9:44 pm

      Our condolences to you and your family, Valentina, in the loss of your dear mother. May her inspirations and love of onions live forever in your hearts. Caz & Gaz [Australia]

      Reply
      • valentina

        August 02, 2017 at 7:17 pm

        I so appreciate this. Many thanks and much love.

        Reply
    6. Christina

      August 01, 2017 at 10:14 pm

      Oh Valentina, I can only imagine how bittersweet it will be whenever you smell the aroma of caramelizing onions! What a lovely post. I am so very sorry for your loss, but as you said, there is solace in knowing she is at peace. Hugs.

      Reply
      • valentina

        August 02, 2017 at 7:18 pm

        Thank you, Christina. xo

        Reply
    7. Aimee

      August 01, 2017 at 10:29 pm

      Such a beautiful tribute Valen. I had no idea that she cooked onions everyday - love learning that about her. I've been doing lots of remembering. I keep thinking of how when we were little your house was this big mysterious place with closed rooms full of stuff, and a backyard we couldn't really play in because it was full of piles of wood and stones, and tiles and more stuff. And then slowly but surely your mom transformed the whole house into this amazing wonderland. One absolutely stunning room at a time. What amazing vision, patience and perseverance to create.

      And I adore that pic of your mom and Mason!

      Love you!

      Reply
      • valentina

        August 02, 2017 at 7:19 pm

        I just love you describe the piles (of stuff!) disappearing and the rooms coming together in the house. So true. And yes, she sure did have a vision! Love you!

        Reply
    8. Jeanne @jollytomato

      August 01, 2017 at 10:42 pm

      What a wonderful tribute to your mom! I am so very sorry for this tremendous loss but I am so glad to hear that you have such happy memories of her that will live on in your kitchen. Sending much love...

      Reply
      • valentina

        August 02, 2017 at 7:20 pm

        Thanks so much, Jeanne. xo

        Reply
    9. Deb|EastofEdenCooking

      August 02, 2017 at 7:35 am

      What soulful, beautiful memories of your mom. The loss of one's mother is life changing. Cherish all the time you had with her, keep her close while you grieve. Sending hugs and peaceful thoughts to comfort you as you begin your life without her.

      Reply
      • valentina

        August 02, 2017 at 7:20 pm

        Thank you, Deb. I know you understand, and I so appreciate your kind words. Much love. xo

        Reply
    10. Liz Schmitt

      August 02, 2017 at 8:14 am

      After I lost my beloved mother, cooking her favorites in my kitchen became and remains such a comfort. Making my summer pickles today and I will remember your Mom as I slice the sweet onions.

      Reply
      • valentina

        August 02, 2017 at 7:21 pm

        Thank you so much, Liz. I hope the pickles turned out great, and love that cooking your mom's food brings you comfort, too. xo

        Reply
    11. Julie B.

      August 02, 2017 at 11:33 am

      Valentina, I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your lovely mom. When I think about her cooking what I remember most clearly is her love of chocolate! I still have her handwritten recipe for chocolate cheesecake - delicious and always made with love.

      Reply
      • valentina

        August 02, 2017 at 7:22 pm

        Julie, I just love that you have her handwritten recipe. She LOVED that cheesecake so much. Thank you. xoxo

        Reply
    12. Adrienne Salinger

      August 02, 2017 at 12:13 pm

      Beautifully written, Valentina. Carole will be missed so much.

      Reply
      • valentina

        August 02, 2017 at 7:22 pm

        Thank you, Adrienne. xoxo

        Reply
    13. Marcellina

      August 02, 2017 at 2:06 pm

      I don't know you or your mother but I was moved to write by your post in honour of your mom. I know loss, my mum passed away when I was 9 and my dad pass away 3 years ago after suffering with dementia. It's these moments, the simple frying of onions, that we remember in a special way. While a the time she didn't know it, she was giving you something for when she was no longer here. Talk about her often, remember her always and take care of yourself.

      Reply
      • valentina

        August 02, 2017 at 7:26 pm

        Hi Marcellina,
        Thank you so very much for this note. I'm sorry you lost your dad at such a young age, and how hard it must have been to loose your mom a few years ago, too. Thank you for sharing your thoughts -- I just love what your wrote . . . about how she didn't even know the gift (of a lovely memory) she was giving me all of those times she sautéed the onions. Much love to you, Valentina

        Reply
    14. Cathy A

      August 02, 2017 at 2:26 pm

      What wonderful memories you have of your mother Valentina. I can only imagine how remarkable of a woman she was. I am so sorry for your loss.

      I will saute onions in her honor... and then double it.

      Reply
      • valentina

        August 02, 2017 at 7:24 pm

        Thank you so much, Cathy. (For sautéing and doubling, too.) xo

        Reply
    15. Adair @ Lentil Breakdown

      August 02, 2017 at 2:53 pm

      I can tell by looking at your mom that I liked her. And her onions, of course! She had to be both a wonderful cook and mother, as the proof is in the pudding and the progeny. XO

      Reply
      • valentina

        August 02, 2017 at 7:23 pm

        You are so sweet, Adair. Thank you so much. xo

        Reply
    16. David

      August 03, 2017 at 3:24 pm

      Sweet and loving Post, Valentina. I'm so sorry for you and your family, and am so glad you have so many wonderful memories to get you through this difficult time. I will think of your mom every time I sauté onions now...

      One of my closest friends from college suffers from Parkinson's disease, and I am a regular contributor to the Michael J Fox Foundation. I will make my next donation in memory of your mother.

      Wishing you peace and light – with big hugs,
      David

      Reply
      • valentina

        August 03, 2017 at 3:54 pm

        David, I'm so grateful we've made such a good connection through the food world. You've been so supportive of my recipe writing -- and on a personal level, too. I wish your friend with Parkinson's well, and my whole family appreciates the contribution. It's been a tough year, but we're all looking towards lighter times. Thank you and much love to you and Mark, Valentina XOXO

        Reply
    17. Kelly

      August 04, 2017 at 6:17 pm

      I'm so sorry for your loss Valentina but I know your mom is looking down and smelling the wonderful waft of onions that now you and so many others (including me!) are cooking in her honor. What a nice tribute to amazing woman!

      Reply
      • valentina

        August 04, 2017 at 8:06 pm

        Thank you so much, Kelly. So appreciate this. Good thing we all love onions! 😉 xo

        Reply
    18. sippitysup

      August 18, 2017 at 10:03 am

      I'll "double the onions" the next time I'm in the kitchen and think of this lovely tribute to a beautiful woman. XOGREG

      Reply
      • valentina

        August 19, 2017 at 9:37 pm

        Thank you, Greg. xoxo

        Reply
    19. Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious

      July 30, 2018 at 12:15 am

      Valentina, I missed this originally a year ago, awash in my own similar circumstances, but am so glad to see it now. It's a wonderful remembrance, and I am doubling the onions from here on out, in her honor.

      Reply
      • valentina

        July 30, 2018 at 10:55 am

        Awww, thank you so much Dorothy. xoxo

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Valentina, certified chef, owner, recipe developer and photographer at Cooking on the Weekends. I'm also a mom of two boys and a Los Angeleno. I use seasonal whole foods to create unique and comforting recipes for casual entertaining.

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