Recipe: Pearl Onions in Creamy Onion Sauce

PEARL ONIONS IN CREAMY ONION SAUCE

1 stick (4 ounces / 1/2 cup) unsalted butter
1 cup dry bread crumbs
3 medium onions, finely chopped
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 packages (16 ounces each) frozen small whole onions

Preheat the oven 350 Degrees F.

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Pour half of the butter into a small bowl and stir in the bread crumbs. Set aside.

Add the chopped onions to the remaining butter in the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft but not brown, about 5 minutes.

Sprinkle the flour over the onions and whisk to combine, about 1 minute.

Increase the heat to moderate, slowly add the milk and cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce is smooth and thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in salt and pepper.

Place the whole onions in a 2-quart baking dish. Pour the onion sauce over them and mix well, spreading the onions in an even layer. Sprinkle the reserved buttered bread crumbs over the top.

Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the topping is crisped and the sauce is bubbling around the edges. Serve hot.

Servings: 8
Source: Marion Cunningham; The Best of Food & Wine Holiday Collection; 1992