Why fry onions without oil and then add oil?
In several recipes I have seen lately, the instructions are to sautee onions and garlic without oil for a few minutes, and then add oil and continue until golden. If it's of any help, these are Ethiopian traditional recipes.
I know that the two processes are different, due to heat transfer by the oil, and the Maillard reaction etc. What could be the reason to start without oil and then add it though?
Best Answer
According to Wikipedia,
the preparation of a wat begins with chopped onions slow cooked, without any fat or oil, in a dry skillet or pot until much of their moisture has been driven away. Fat (usually niter kibbeh) is then added, often in quantities that might seem excessive by modern Western standards, and the onions and other aromatics are sautéed before the addition of other ingredients. This method causes the onions to break down and thicken the stew.
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Do you add oil when frying onions?
Warm the pan and add the onions. Make sure you have chosen a frying pan that will hold your onions snugly, but still gives you plenty of room to stir. Place the pan on your burner over a medium heat and add the oil or fat called for in your recipe. Then add your onions along with a pinch of salt.Why do you heat oil before adding onions?
For example: if you put a sliced onion into a pan with hot oil, it will cook and have a nice golden brown color as it caramelizes. Put that same sliced onion in a cold pan with cold oil and then add heat, and the onion will first turn translucent and lose moisture.Is it better to fry onions in butter or oil?
You can use any fat that's suitable for cooking over high heat. Olive oil or vegetable oil are my go-to oils for this. Butter can also be added to give the onions more flavor. Since butter has a lower smoke point, be sure to use a mixture of butter and oil so it doesn't brown too quickly.How do you crisp onions without oil?
Add a little water to the pan \u2014 start with 3 Tbsp (as original recipe is written). Add sliced onions and stir. Then cover. Cook for a total of 30-40 minutes, opening the lid and stirring every 5 minutes.Sauteing and Browning Onions Without Oil
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