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Onions in everything... aargh!
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margot_ledbetter
Posts: 18 Forumite
Hi
OH has a pretty drastic onion intolerance. I've found that many many recipes rely on onions for bulk or to add flavour - doesn't help that they're cheap, either. Does anyone have any ideas about what to add as a substitution for onion in recipes?
Believe me, I'm not up for just disguising them - he may be paranoid about them but I'm actually rather glad. The results of an onion dinner do not delight... _pale_
Yikes!
OH has a pretty drastic onion intolerance. I've found that many many recipes rely on onions for bulk or to add flavour - doesn't help that they're cheap, either. Does anyone have any ideas about what to add as a substitution for onion in recipes?
Believe me, I'm not up for just disguising them - he may be paranoid about them but I'm actually rather glad. The results of an onion dinner do not delight... _pale_
Yikes!
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Comments
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what about leeks?enjoy life, we only get one chance at it:)0
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How is he with things such as leeks?
Maybe just use other veg to add bulk....don't think onions would be missed...except in onion soup...Official DFW Nerd Club - Member no: 203.0 -
I don't think I would risk leeks, or anything in the onion family at all with someone with a food intolerance/allergy to onions. (Onion family includes chives, leeks, garlic, scallions/spring onions, shallots....and perhaps some more). Not quite the same as a fussy eater.
You could always bulk out the meal with other vegetables, such as carrots and celery which are reasonably cheap, can be grated/blitzed with food processor. Celery is also a good seasoning and you can get celery salt (in which case omit salt in the recipe), or celery seeds/powder.
Plenty of good herbs and spices for flavouring, all depends on your taste and what you are cooking. I use oregano an awful lot.....it grows like mad in my garden. Try out various herbs and spices to see what works best for you and your OH.0 -
You could also try adding just a pinch of asafoetida (an Indian spice), which is supposed to have an onion like flavour.0
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Depending on the recipe, add a bit of garlic instead for flavour? Or just use a bit of spicy well spices on instead like cayenne / tabasco sauce for flavour? Just a little though will do ya!0
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My Mum cannot tolerate onions, garlic, etc. since her gall bladder was removed. When I cook for her, I just leave them out and I can't taste any difference.The acquisition of wealth is no longer the driving force in my life.0
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My MIL has an onion intolerance - makes her pass out. I just thought they gave her wind , but since she was menopausal they make her pass out. We just leave them out when cooking for her. Unfortunately my son picked up on the onion thing when he was little and decided he hated onions so we always have to hide them with him - his is neurotic and not a real aversion as when disguised he will eat them with relish, but if he sees one!
One thing you could do if you miss them in cooking is batch cook a load and freeze them in suitable serving sizes then after taking your husbands portion of say bolognaise out add the frozen onions - quick high heat and voila!0 -
I had to give up onions for a while and at first it was a nightmare because, as you say, they just seem to be in everything. After a while, I gave up trying to find one thing to substitute for them, because there really isn't anything!
When I wanted the texture of chunks of onion then I would use chopped fennel, when I wanted the softness of slowcooked onion then I used chopped celery. Often, I would just increase the amounts of other vegetables in a dish eg carrot, or not look for a substitute at all.
This thread has a few ideas: http://forumhub.mayyam.com/hub/viewtopic.php?p=1105300
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