FOOD NEWS
For Faster-Browning Onions, Baking Soda Is The Key
By Haldan Kirsch
Caramelized onions add mouthwatering flavor to soups, pasta, and sandwiches, but in order to get them right, they shouldn’t be rushed or attempted if you’re in a hurry. However, adding just a pinch of baking soda can help take the time for caramelizing onions from an hour down to just 15 minutes.
It takes a while for onions to caramelize because it takes a long time for the structure of the vegetable to break down and release all of its water before caramelizing. When you add baking soda to onions, it speeds up the process of breaking them down because it’s an alkaline substance that raises the pH balance of onions.
However, using too much baking soda can easily make your caramelized onions go from complex to chemical tasting, so it’s best to use just a pinch or ⅛ of a teaspoon. Simply add that amount of baking soda with the butter and onions to the pan at the same time, and let your secret ingredient do all the work.