Alfred, Lord Tennyson wrote than in springtime a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love. And while we believe that may be true, we also recognize this particular calendar span as the time when our own fancy turns to thoughts of… sweet onions.
Vidalias will start shipping soon, and onion lovers that we are at OnionBusiness.com, we’re not at all bashful about muscling to the head of the food line for fabulous fare featuring sweets or seeking out recipes via FoodNetwork.com. This week, just by entering “Vidalia,” we came up with a plethora of great recipes by the pros, including Bobby Flay, Sara Moulton, Paula Deen, Patrick and Gina Neely, Rachael Ray and other chef stars. Go to www.foodnetwork.com and run your own search, seeking out a specific dish or specific chef. Here are a few for starters:
FoodNation with Bobby Flay featured an entire episode on Vidalia, GA, with Vidalia’s Favorite Onion Dip coming from Ruth Underwood, is at http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/vidalias-favorite-onion-dip-recipe.html. And Fried Vidalia Onion by Down Home with the Neelys’ Patrick and Gina Neely is at http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/patrick-and-gina-neely/fried-vidalia-onion-recipe.html
The Absolute Best Fried Vidalia Onion Rings as prepared on Cooking Live with Sara Moulton can be found at
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/the-absolute-best-fried-vidalia-onion-rings-recipe.html
Vidalia Onion Pie, courtesy of John Michael Lerma, is found at http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/vidalia-onion-pie-recipe.html
Bobby Flay positively kills with his Flank Steak Crostini with Chimichurri and Vidalia Relish, found at http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/flank-steak-crostini-with-chimichurri-and-vidalia-relish-recipe.html, and Rachael Ray’s Tomato and Vidalia Onion Salad is also stellar and readily downloadable at http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/tomato-and-vidalia-onion-salad-with-steak-sauce-dressing-recipe.html.
Just for fun we Googled “Vidalia onions in desserts” and came up with http://www.monkeysee.com/play/13741-apple-and-vidalia-onion-upside-down-cake. The video features Chef Jeff Buben, owner of Vidalia and Bistro Bis Restaurants. Crazy good.
And don’t for an instant forget the Vidalia Onion Committee at www.vidaliaonion.org. The fine folks there have teamed up with Southern cookbook author/blogger/Masterchef winner Whitney Miller for an exciting promotional campaign this year. Georgia’s official State Vegetable receives royal treatment through Whitney’s personal appearances, and of course the committee’s web site has a great selection of recipes, including Sweet Vidalia Pimento Cheese, found at http://www.vidaliaonion.org/recipes/Sweet_Vidalia_Pimento_Cheese#.VwP-7WOduRs.
Three words: Oh. My. Stars!
