Miso Caramelized Onions on Salmon Hot Dogs
written by Kelly from VocabularyofFood
Juicy salmon hot dogs nestled in a soft bun, topped with a generous helping of rich, sweet, and savory miso caramelized onions. These caramelized onions can enhance the flavor of many dishes, whether they are used as a topping for sandwiches, pizzas and burgers or as an ingredient in soups, stews and more. Their versatility makes them a go-to ingredient for any cook looking to add depth and sweetness to their dishes. The complex flavors of the caramelized onions perfectly complement the rich taste of Kvarøy Arctic salmon hot dogs, making it a meal even kids will love. This meal is super simple for busy weeknights.
Why This Works
As we embark on a new year, I am making a conscious effort to incorporate more sustainable and healthy meals into my diet. One of my new go-to ingredients is seaweed, a tasty superfood that not only nourishes our bodies but also helps to restore the health of our oceans. I've been pairing Oceans Balance Inc seaweed with Kvaroy Arctic salmon, which is sustainably raised and can be found at Whole Foods nationwide. Not only are you treating yourself to a delicious meal, but by choosing Kvarøy, you are also supporting the Whole Kids Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting healthy eating habits in children.
Tips
What are caramelized onions?
Caramelizing onions is a technique that transforms the humble onion into a deliciously sweet and richly flavored ingredient. This process involves cooking the onions over low heat for a prolonged period, usually around 20-30 minutes. As the onions cook, the natural sugars present in them break down and become more concentrated, giving them a distinct and complex taste. These caramelized onions are versatile and can be used as a topping on sandwiches, pizzas, and burgers, or as a key ingredient in soups, stews, and other dishes, adding a new depth of flavor to any dish.
What do caramelized onions taste like?
Caramelized onions are a flavorful culinary delight that offer a unique blend of sweet, savory and umami tastes. The process of caramelizing the onions slowly brings out their natural sweetness, creating a soft and tender texture with a deep golden color. The Maillard reaction also occurs, which gives them a slightly nutty and umami taste that perfectly complements the natural umami of miso paste. These versatile onions can be used in a wide range of dishes, adding complexity and a touch of sweetness to any recipe. They are a must-have ingredient for any cook looking to elevate their dishes to the next level.
How do I prepare onions for caramelized onions?
Trim both ends off of the onion
Set the onion down on a cutting board flat side down. Slice in half into two equal pieces.
Take one half of the onion and set it cross-section down on a cutting board.
Hold the onion in place with one hand, and using a rocking motion with a sharp knife, slice the onion into thin strips, or julienne, from the top to the bottom. Repeat the process with the other half of the onion.
Repeat with the other half of the onion.
What is mirin?
Mirin (sweet sake) is a staple ingredient in Japanese cuisine known for its unique sweet and savory flavor profile. It is created by fermenting rice, and then adding a syrup made from rice to sweeten it and distilled to create an alcohol content of around 14%. It is clear with a golden color, a slightly syrupy texture, and a sweet taste. It is used in a variety of dishes to add a touch of sweetness and depth of flavor. Mirin also serves as a glaze for fish and meat, and is used to add a bit of sweetness to sushi rice.
Mirin and sake, a Japanese rice wine, can be used interchangeably in recipes, where one is called for, the other may be used as a substitute. Sake is drier. In general, when cooking with any variation of cooking wine it's a good idea to start with a small amount and then add more to taste. Cooking wines can have a strong flavor, so you may want to adjust the amount based on your personal preferences.
* In some cases, sake is added early in the cooking process to give the dish a chance to marinate in the flavors. For example, if you're making a marinade for grilled meats, you might add sake at the beginning so that the meat can soak up the flavors before cooking.
* In other cases, sake is added later in the cooking process, such as in a stir-fry. Here, sake can help deglaze the pan, adding a burst of flavor to the dish.
* In the recipe you provided, Sake is added in step 3, after the onions are caramelized, to enhance the flavor and aroma of the dish, and to help the liquid thickens.
What is miso?
Miso is an essential condiment in Japanese cuisine that is made by fermenting soybeans, barley, or other grains with salt and a fungus called koji. After a fermentation period of 18 months, these ingredients transform into a paste that has a distinct, savory, nutty, and umami-rich flavor. Miso is considered just as important as soy sauce in Japanese cuisine and used as a seasoning in various dishes.
What are the different types of miso?
Miso comes in a range of flavors that can vary from subtle to strong. The type of miso that many people are familiar with is red miso, which is often used in miso soup. Red miso has a distinct, strong and bold taste that makes it the richest in flavor among all types of miso. On the other hand, shiro miso, also known as white miso, has a mild and sweet taste and it considered the most subtle type. I personally prefer using shiro for both sweet and savory dishes due to its versatility.
Ingredients
Onions (makes 2 cups)
3 large sweet, yellow or white onions
3 tablespoons neutral oil or clarified butter
3 tablespoons mirin
2 tablespoons miso paste
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon Ocean’s Balance Seaweed Seasoning for Seafood
For the Salmon Hot Dogs
1 4 pack of Kvarøy Arctic salmon hot dogs in original, jalapeño & cheese, or original & cheese
4 hot dog buns or sausage rolls
DIRECTIONS
Prep | Trim the ends off the onion, peel, and halve from pole to pole. Using a sharp knife, julienne the onions from pole to pole. Repeat with the other half.
Cook Onions | Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and stir. Cook for 30 mins, stirring every 5. After 25 mins, stir the miso paste and mirin together into a small bowl. Strain. With 5 mins left, reduce the heat to a simmer. Remove any strands of burnt onions to prevent bitterness. Add in the miso mirin mixture, sugar, and seasoning. Stir until combined and remove from heat.
Hot Dogs | Cook the hot dogs according to package instructions. Toast the buns.
Assemble | Place a cooked hot dog in each bun and top with miso caramelized onions. Serve hot.
Thank you for reading our guest recipe blog post on Kvarøy Arctic's website. We hope you enjoyed our recipe and found it easy to follow. If you're looking for more inspiration in the kitchen, be sure to visit our website, Vocabulary of Food. We have a wealth of free resources including easy recipes, cooking tips, and mouth-watering food photography. Our goal is to inspire everyone to cook, regardless of experience. So, come join us and let's cook up something delicious together!