Looking for a way to amp up the flavor in your meals? We've got you covered with recipes that put a spotlight on two kitchen staples: garlic and onions. These ingredients are the unsung heroes behind countless dishes, offering a depth of flavor that's hard to beat. Whether you're after something comforting, spicy, or sweet, these recipes showcase the versatility and punch these two can bring to the table.
AUTHOR: Matt Harris
This dish doesn’t have to be expensive, depending on the meat you buy. Ground beef with higher fat content can be cheaper, and it’s easy to drain the liquid once the mince is brown. Add garlic, onion, chopped tomatoes, and some herbs, and you have a cost-effective meal that can feed the whole family. Get the recipe
2. Onion Bhaji
This is an exciting idea, but would it work on a budget? Authentic onion bhajis use specialist flours, which can be expensive, particularly when they’re not ideal for everyday baking. I love this snack, and it could be attempted with regular flour, but be prepared for mixed results.
3. Potato Rosti
This is one of my favorite dishes. Rosti can be labor intensive, but it’s cheap to make with grated potato, drained and fried in butter. Different ingredients could be added, but garlic and onions would be perfect with additional seasoning. Get the recipe
4. Toum
Toum is a famous Lebanese accompaniment that is heavy on garlic. Many varying recipes are available, but the dish only requires four ingredients - garlic, oil, lemon juice, and salt. The suggestion receives lots of support throughout the discussion, and there are many ways in which it can be used, with or without extra onions.
5. Pickles
As an enthusiastic maker of pickles and preserves, I fully endorse this suggestion. Homemade pickled onions are always on hand, and pickled garlic is delicious, too - not pungent, with a vinegary edge to balance the flavor. Pickles are easy to make and last for weeks.
6. French Onion Soup
This rich, warming soup is packed with onions cooked for a caramelized flavor. Garlic is included in all traditional recipes, and this is a hearty dish, perfect for cold winter days. Get the recipe
7. Roast Chicken With 40 Cloves of Garlic
No, that isn’t a misprint. There is a popular recipe that has been around for decades which uses forty cloves of garlic as an accompaniment to roast chicken. I remember seeing this in a cookery show in the 1990s, and it isn’t a joke. I’m sure some forum members suggested this feeling it was a ridiculous option, but the strong garlic flavor is lost when roasted, leaving the cloves with a nutty taste. Add in some onion-based stuffing, and you’ve used both core ingredients.
8. Gumbo
It’s an easy dish to make, which can be cheap or expensive, depending on the protein that you use. Start by frying the onion and garlic with a bell pepper; add rice or noodles plus a white sauce and that protein. If you’re not confident, throw plenty of cajun seasoning to taste. Get the recipe
9. Onion Focaccia
An excellent alternative to anyone looking to use garlic and onion in baked dishes, focaccia is a tasty option. One respondent describes it as ‘pizza with no sauce and ten times the onions.’ With garlic included, it’s a tempting food that fits the original brief.
10. Mujadara
If you like your onions crispy-fried, you must try this dish. The base ingredients of Mujadara are lentils and rice, with many crispy onions sprinkled on top. I’ve not found references to garlic in all online recipes, but there are versions where this is used as an added ingredient.
11. Pasta With Garlic and Onion
This is a perfect suggestion for using up leftover ingredients. Sautee the garlic and onion in oil, add the pasta, and sprinkle on some parmesan. It was the most basic suggestion on the thread but it could also be the tastiest.
12. Patatas Bravas
I’m not a big fan of tapas, but I always seek out this dish whenever I’m in Spain, and it’s easy to make at home. Onion and garlic provide the base for this light meal, which uses small cubes of potatoes steeped in a spicy tomato sauce. It is absolutely delicious! Get the recipe
Source: Reddit.
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