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Best method for crisping shallots?

Karen Mickleson

17 years ago

I want to make a green bean casserole from scratch, using crisped shallots on top. The two methods of crisping shallot slices I've researched are 1) caramelizing them VERY slowly (30-40 minutes) in oil-butter mix till they brown, then draining; and 2) essentially deep frying them in some quantity of oil, say 1" in a deep skillet, over medium high heat till crisp and then draining. The former takes a long time; the latter involves more oil than I want to fuss with.

I'd like to be able to store them a day or two and have them remain crisp, or, re-crisp when I put the casserole in the oven.

Anyone have experience with this and know a preferred method for what I want to do?

Thanks,

Karen

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Comments (4)

lindac
17 years ago
Never had nor have I heard of "crisped shallots"...
For casserole topping its' usually fried onions that are toasted to crisp them.
I sure wouldn't be caramelizing them....just slice thin and deep fry..
Linda C
coconut_nj
17 years ago
I happened to have Food Tv on when I went to bed wayyy late last night and Alton Brown was making his own crispy onions. He did them in the oven. He sliced very finely, then tossed with a little flour and a little bit of panko, some salt, then put on a greased baking sheet in a 475 oven for 30 minutes, tossing them every ten minutes. They looked quite good. Ah, I found the recipe. Here it is. He used onions instead of shallots, but I'd sure love the shallots instead. Smiles.

From Alton Browns Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
For the topping:
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Nonstick cooking spray

Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.

Combine the onions, flour, panko and salt in a large mixing bowl and toss to combine. Coat a sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray and evenly spread the onions on the pan. Place the pan on the middle rack of the oven and bake until golden brown, approximately 30 minutes. Toss the onions 2 to 3 times during cooking. Once done, remove from the oven and set aside until ready to use.
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ruthanna_gw
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Karen Mickleson
Original Author
17 years ago
You guys are great! Thanks for these great ideas. One day I'm going to try all of them and see which ones stay crispy the longest .)

Karen

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