STEP BY STEP
Making Onion Cups
Here's how to prep the onions so they cook quickly and don't wobble.
1. To keep onions from tipping, create a flat surface by trimming the stem and root ends. Next, peel the onions.
2. Halve the onions through the equator to speed the cooking and create onion cups the right size for a side dish.
3. Push out center of each onion half, leaving outermost three rings intact. The filling will stay put despite the hole in the bottom.
Serves 8
| 5 | slices hearty white sandwich bread , torn into pieces |
| 4 | yellow onions (3 1/2 to 4 inches each) |
| 8 | ounces cremini or white mushrooms , chopped |
| 5 | tablespoons unsalted butter |
| 1 | cup low-sodium chicken broth |
| 1 | (10-ounce) box frozen chopped spinach , thawed and drained |
| 1/4 | teaspoon grated lemon zest |
| 3/4 | cup grated Parmesan cheese |
| Salt and pepper | |
| 1 | teaspoon sugar |
1. TOAST CRUMBS Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Pulse bread in food processor until coarsely ground. Bake bread crumbs on rimmed baking sheet, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 15 minutes. Transfer to large bowl.
2. PREPARE ONIONS Following photos 1 to 3 at left, trim ½ inch from both stem and root ends of onions, peel, halve through equator, and pop out center of each half, leaving outermost 3 rings intact. Chop onion centers finely to measure 1 cup (reserve any additional onion for another use).
3. MAKE STUFFING Chop crimini or white mushrooms. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chopped onion and mushrooms until softened, about 8 minutes. Off heat, stir in ½ cup broth, chopped spinach, lemon zest, ½ cup cheese, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Transfer to bowl with bread crumbs and toss to combine.
4. BROWN ONIONS Sprinkle onion halves with sugar and season with salt and pepper. Melt additional 1 tablespoon butter in empty skillet over medium heat. Place 4 onion halves in skillet, wide ends down, and cook until browned, about 3 minutes. Transfer to plate and repeat with remaining butter and onion halves. Flip onions and return first batch to skillet, browned-side up. Add remaining broth and simmer, covered, until liquid evaporates and onions are softened, about 5 minutes.
5. STUFF ONIONS Heat broiler. Fill onion halves with bread-crumb mixture and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Broil until stuffing is golden brown and heated through, 2 to 4 minutes. Serve.