"It is hard to imagine a civilization without onions; in one form or another their flavour blends into almost everything in the meal except the dessert."

Julia Child "Mastering the Art of French Cooking

Marinated Onions

1 lb small onions or shallots

fresh thyme

4 tablespoons olive oil

100 ml dry white wine or vegetable stock

100 ml water

1 tablespoon vinegar

1 dried chilli pepper

2 laurel leaves

salt and freshly ground pepper

Peel onions. Heat the olive oil in a heavy bottomed saucepan. Sautee onions for about 10 minutes until browned all around. Take care not to burn them, so they won't turn bitter; lower the heat when necessary. Deglaze the pan with wine or stock, additional water and vinegar. Add chilli, thyme and laurel leaves, salt and pepper. Simmer for about 10 minutes until tender. When desired doneness is reached, transfer to a clean mason jar. Let stand on the counter at room temperature for at least 8 hours, so that the onions can marinate thoroughly. 

This recipe has been patiently waiting in my big green binder for almost ten years. Yesterday, right before I went grocery shopping, I looked up the recipe for marinated zucchinis, and spontaneously decided to try the onions instead. Why have I waited for so long? This is so delicious! 

I forgot to buy fresh thyme - the onions are very tasty without it. The recipe calls for white wine vinegar, I used apple cider vinegar. Instead of simmering the onions for 10 minutes I cooked them for 20 minutes and would recommend to cook them even longer until they achieve that silky softness while still holding their shape. Your kitchen will smell heavenly while the onions are simmering. They won't stink up the house. They taste sweetish and tangy, with only a slight onion-y sharpness, that will probably disappear completely after cooking them for a longer time.

 

10 Gluten-Free Days

I have spent the last 10 days glued to the chair in front of the computer. I have spent hours reading about gluten-free diets, gluten-free blogs, and celiac disease. The more I read, the less convinced I am about that gluten-free thing with regard to my health issues. Some of the symptoms of celiac disease fit, some not. For instance, I gained weight, did not loose it. I have never experienced violent reactions to ingesting gluten-containig foods. But then again - it's nice to wake up in the morning, actually being awake. It's nice to get up without puffy eyes, without a headache that will not lift until the evening, without stiff and creaking joints. I am indeed feeling better, my stomach is flatter, not distended any more. Gone is the constant tiredness. I have much more energy. My mood has improved considerably - I am even able to smile and be friendly in the morning. And those annoying cravings are gone. Pst, don't wake them! I know for sure, they are hiding just round the corner, waiting for the one moment, when I am distracted, to pounce on to me again. I don't know what to make of all this. If I had been on an unbalanced diet of fast food and sweets, I would have credited this change to my new healthier eating habits. But no, I have had my veggies daily. I am not a vegetarian, so I was not lacking in protein or vitamins B6 and B12. I have binged quite often on cake, icecream and chocolate. That has taken its toll, no doubt about that. But apart from that, my eating habits were/are not that bad. So I will continue to avoid gluten for the full four weeks, as recommended. Then we'll see how to continue.

Food Intolerance???

I have all but given up blogging in Oktober. One of the reasons is quite simple: I have gained a lot of weight, and I am not happy about it. So I took a break from baking. At least I got to shop for new clothes - can't complain about that! I only wish, it weren't clothes in bigger sizes...
And I have some health related issues going on for quite a long time: feeling fatigued, lethargic and depressed nearly all the time, not getting restful sleep, stomach troubles for days on end, dry and itchy skin, various aches and pains - that list could go on and on. Finally, I went to the GP for a check-up. My lab tests came back "normal", my iron status a bit low, but that was to be expected as I had donated blood only recently. Turns out that I am not ill , but why am I feeling lousy? Amazingly, the GP took time for counselling me on a healthier lifestyle with an emphasis on stress-reduction. Amazingly again, he didn't just prescribe anti-depressants. He suggested to start looking for food intolerances, eliminating the most likely allergy-triggers from my diet, starting with wheat and other gluten containing foods. I have been restricting my intake of dairy products for some years as I have noticed frequently, that they don't agree with me all that well. My long list of symptons could be related to wheat or gluten intolerance. They should clear up in the weeks to come if gluten is really the culprit. Well, of course I want to get better. So, starting today, I will avoid gluten-containing foods for the next four weeks. Should I indeed feel better, I am in this for life.