Level Up - Caramelize
Level Up Your Cooking Skills with Caramelization
Level Up is a new series from Bon Appétit Management Company focused on cooking techniques that our chefs use every day to elevate their from-scratch dishes — and you can, too! Read the tips, watch the video, and try the recipes. We’re collecting all of the Level Up installments here.
Caramelizing coaxes complex flavors out of ordinary vegetables, revealing surprising depth. The best part? This culinary technique is as easy as it is fundamental.
Caramelizing coaxes complex flavors out of vegetables, revealing surprising depth. True caramelization takes time, but a little bit of patience results in a complete transformation. Caramelization occurs when sugar molecules are heated enough to make them break apart, creating new flavor compounds. In the case of onions, slow cooking over low heat turns their sharp flavors into a multifaceted sweetness and deepens their color to a lacquered reddish-brown — a perfect savory-but-sweet topping for burgers or pizza. Don’t reserve caramelization just for onions, though. High-heat roasting or grilling will transform vegetables with lots of natural sweetness ― think butternut squash, parsnips, beets ― and fruits of nearly every kind into a delightfully different version of themselves.
Our Recipes Using Caramelization
Wheat Berry Salad with Roasted Grapes and Caramelized Shallots
The sweetness of roasted grapes and caramelized shallots balance the salty olives and nutty wheat berries in this hearty whole grain salad.
Tomato and Caramelized Onion Cassoulet
Caramelizing the onions in olive oil provides rich flavor and helps boost absorption of lycopene, a cancer-preventing compound found in tomatoes. Fortified with hearty white beans, this vegetarian version of a classic French dish makes a great entrée any time of year.
Grilled Apricots with Greek Yogurt and Berry Mash
The intense direct heat of the grill caramelizes the apricots and intensifies their flavor. Try grilling other seasonal fruits such as peaches or pineapple for a similarly delicious result.
Links We Love
- So, you’ve mastered caramelized onions. Here are The Kitchn’s top five ways to use them. (Spoiler: Your salads will never be the same!)
- Grilling is an easy way to get great caramelization. Here are some healthy tips for grilling from our Registered Dietitians that maximize flavor and nutrition.
- Bakers, prepare to have your minds blown! Learn how to make caramel without melting sugar ― a game changer for baked goods like cookies and cakes ― from Serious Eats.