My mom sautéed onions daily, and whenever dining out, she'd say "double the onions, please."
I’m flooded with wonderful memories of my mom daily -- in all aspects of my life. And especially when I cook.
There are so many things I could talk about in my mom’s memory: her exquisite antique collection, the stunning home she designed in Pacific Palisades, and lived in with my dad for over 50 years, the 2,000 plus trees she was responsible for planting in the community, what a loving mother she was and so on.
Here, I'm sharing her love of onions. This might sound like it's a small thing, or odd thing to focus on, but it's not. Growing up, it was a part of every day. And continued to be.
The scent of sautéing onions . . . .
Walking home from Pali High, almost as soon as I'd turn right onto Wildomar St. from Northfield St., I'd start to get a hint of the sautéing onions. And when I'd open the door to the house, that scent wafted all the way up the halls to the front door. This was what happened every single school day.
And 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 my grandmother (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. Of course garlic would likely make its way in eventually, but it was never quite as important as the onions were.
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 flavor combinations were always perfectly crafted. 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.
She cooked with whole, healthy ingredients, and whenever possible, they were from my dad’s backyard garden.
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, Cholada (specifically the one that came alongside the Kanom Jeep (steamed wontons filled with chestnuts and ground pork and topped with roasted minced garlic). It was smoky, a little spicy and the flavors were deep and rich.
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.”
I hope you'll fill your home with the scent of sautéing onions, as my mom would . . . .
Quick Caramelized Onions
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.)
Lise Selznick
Tears run down my smiling face as I read this...just the way you've described everything, I too can smell her onions! lol
You were so right about their house and how special, how magical it was. I had the honor of seeing it a couple of times, and your little slice of heaven kitchen in the back! My heart hurts knowing it's all gone, and knowing she's no longer here to fill your bellies with carmalized onions and her rich and savory golden recipes. Yet you embody everything she is and was. Your love of cooking, your artistry of loving all rich and beautiful textures and things, all live on because of her. You keep her spirit alive and the memories of your childhood and your home will always be stored in your heart. The beauty of it all is that you had it, you did it, and it belonged to you then and still does now. Sending you big hugs and all delicious things to come! xox
Valentina
Lise, Thank you so very much for the kind, loving words. I really appreciate it. xo Valentina
pilar moreno casas
ME ENCANTA!!!
GRACIAS POR COMPARTIR
Valentina
Muchas gracias, hermana!!!
Ultra
Thanks for sharing the beautiful memories and photos of your Mom and you and your children. I am very sorry for your loss and wish you could all rebuild and create new memories while keeping the old ones.
Valentina
Thank you so much for the kind words. ~Valentina
Elizabeth Foley
My dear Valentina,
Very sorry for your losses in this fire. I miss seeing you and your family since we moved away. It is good to see you writing and what a lovely story. Tears. Love and beauty. You are lucky. I'm glad her spirit and the spirit of that love lives on and that your life is such a tribute to it. So glad you continue....
Valentina
Hi Elizabeth. Thank you so much. Love and beauty, indeed. 🙂 ~Valentina
Cate Bendock
I’ve never met you personally, but with a post like this I feel we’ve known each other as kindred souls. I’ve followed you for sometime now because your post are real, fun, and full of joy. Thank you for making our lives so full of love.
Valentina
Hi Cate. What a lovely note. It's so rewarding to hear things like this -- thank you for being such a loyal reader and for the kind words. 🙂 ~Valentina
Alicia Silka
You have captured and preserved your memories so beautifully in your words, pictures and recipe. Thank you for sharing this onion snippet of your world. That house truly was a landmark, and your mom was an icon of the village.
Valentina
Thank you so much, Alicia. ~Valentina
Elaine Punchard
My heart goes out to everyone who lost their family homes due to fires. There is something that disasters can't take from you though, and that is your precious memories of time spent in the home and your mum frying onions. Take care and best wishes for the future
Valentina
Elaine, I really appreciate this. I will definitely cherish the memories always. Thank you. ~Valentina
Tracey A
I know that people can't even begin to fathom the loss and heartache you are all experiencing. I have been praying for all of you. God bless you.
Valentina
Thank you so much, Tracey. 🙂 ~Valentina
Mimi Rippee
Oh my goodness. What a uniquely gorgeous house. This is so sad. I can’t even imagine what you’re going through. I love the tribute to your beautiful Mom. And I’m glad she didn’t know about the devastating demise of her home.
Valentina
Thank you, Mimi. Yes, I'm very grateful my parents didn't see this happen. I don't know how my mom would've dealt with it. Thank you for the kind words. 🙂 ~Valentina
Romi Laine
So touched by your email Valen with the images of the house and this recipe post sparking so many memories.
Oh that house was feast for the senses, from kitchen aromas to blooming gardens, dogs scrambling through hallways, hidden rooms with treasures, stairways spiraling upward, and endless projects handcrafted to life by your parents creativity. Your home and its stories are etched into my spirit forever.
I can smell your mom’s onions sautéing through the page and see her warm smile. Thank you for ignited the essence of Carol here and now as you share this with all of us.. and remind us to double up!! Love you.
Valentina
Double up! I love it. 🙂 Thank you for all of these loving and kind words. Means so much that the house made such a positive impression on you. XOXO ~Valentina