"Onion" news and stories

Peeling small onions can be a little tricky because of their stubborn exteriors. Follow this tip to peel them with ease.

Savory onion tart. Photo: Brent Ridge, Beekman 1802.

Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell are the farmers and innovators behind Beekman 1802, a 200-year-old estate and farm in upstate New York. We'll be running recipes, gorgeous photos and tales from the farm as their crops come into season.

By Brent Ridge with Sandy Gluck

Even as a little boy I was a champion of diversity. I didn't care if the onion was white, yellow or red. I liked them all. My favorite meal at grandma's house was her onion sandwich: thin slices of onion, two slices of bread and a generous layer of Duke's mayonnaise.

Fortunately for all of you, my tastes are a little more sophisticated now, though sophisticated and simple are not mutually exclusive when it comes to good recipes. Have you ever thought about combining savory caramelized onions, tangy blue cheese and sweet, juicy slices of apple? I hadn't either, until our friend (and former Martha Stewart Everyday Food editor Sandy Gluck) made the suggestion. The result was a delicious and decadent onion tart that will impress every single person at your table.

Yucky or yummy? Take your pick! According to a recent report, women's body order smells of onions (or grapefruit) and men's of cheese. Lemondrop explains that researchers had both men and women engage in the same exercises and had both groups sit in saunas. Afterwards, scientists took samples of men and women's perspiration.

Women's perspiration contains large amounts of a sulfurous compound that creates a scent similar to onion soup when mixed with armpit bacteria. Ah, and then there's men's perspiration! Think Stilton or a stinky Roquefort. Men's perspiration releases higher amounts of fatty acids. So, as Lemondrop remarks, this seems like an excellent opportunity for deodorant companies.

When purchasing deodorant at the pharmacy, men and women's antiperspirants are often separated, probably in the same way that colognes and perfumes are divided at a department store - masculine smells and feminine smells. It seems that now, scientists can work with deodorant companies to create more efficient gender targeted products.

Ever wonder if there was a way to prevent your eyes from stinging and tearing up when slicing an onion? It turns out that there are several tactics to holding back those tears.

I became aware of cottage cheese dill bread when I started working in my pastry kitchen. It's one of the breads that I have to make on a regular basis, as it's used for all kinds of canapes and finger sandwiches. I've never seen it in a retail bakery and so far as I can tell, it's not a very popular bread, but it should be.

Cottage cheese dill loaves are made with a variety of savory ingredients that make for a saliva-inducing aroma and taste. In addition to the cottage cheese and dill you've got onion and horseradish, and in some cases Parmesan cheese (I've seen it in recipes, but don't use it in my bread).

The dill loaves I make are used mainly for smoked salmon canapes and cucumber finger sandwiches, and I also make a cottage cheese dill dinner roll. They make the pastry kitchen smell absolutely wonderful. They can make your house smell just as good, and you'll be very pleased with what this bread can do for your sandwiches, not to mention toast! This recipe I found online looks good, but I'd add a tablespoon of horseradish if you have it. Also, there's a good version in Bernard Clayton's "New Complete Book of Breads". Check out the gallery below for some inspirational photos.