Onions are an ingredient in many dishes, but this side dish is all onions. If you are not a fan of onions, than maybe you should stop here. This is a vegetable dish that is different since it is not green. I first tasted this at a dinner party and my hostess, Charlotte who was from the South, was famous for just creating delicious foods on the spur of the moment.

This is not complicated to make and I use a Corning Ware® casserole dish since you start cooking on the stovetop and end up in the oven and those dishes work well for that. This recipe was originally given to me with very little measurements. I don't think adding a little more of this or that would hurt the final results. But the first time I made it, it was too wet and the second time, it was too dry. But I think these proportions should yield success.

The size of your onions will affect how you cut them. I don't peel onions first if I am cutting them into chunks since it is easier to peel them from cut pieces. If your onion is very large, then cut it in half first and then in 8 pieces. You don't want a huge piece of onion, but a big bite is perfect.

Parchment paper is available at the grocery store on the aisle with wax paper and foil. It is a great product to have on hand and is mainly used in baking. I followed Charlotte's advice and used it but I honestly think you could put a cover on the dish and get the same results. Keep an eye on this after about 20 minutes of baking since you do not want to dry it out too much.

I followed Charlotte's web of instructions and have enjoyed this dish for many years. Give it a try!

Creamed Sweet Onions

2 Tbsp butter

2 pounds sweet onions, cut each onion into 8 wedges

Nutmeg

Cayenne pepper

Salt and pepper

2 Tbsp white wine

¾ cup half and half

1 ½ Tbsp flour

1 Tbsp melted butter

½ cup panko

Chopped chives

Melt 2 Tbsp butter in oven proof dish and add onions and cook for 5 minutes over medium high heat, stirring occasionally until onions become soft. Add a shake of nutmeg, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper and add wine and allow to simmer for 2 minutes. Whisk together the flour with the half and half and stir into the onions and bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Mix the 1 Tbsp melted butter with the panko and sprinkle on top. Sprinkle chopped chives and cover with parchment paper and bake 30 minutes at 350. Uncover and broil until golden for a few minutes until lightly brown.

Susan Lang makes greeting cards which are for sale at Stephen's Hair & Boutique located at 312 W. Mesquite Blvd. #12 in the Bull Dog Shopping Center. Each card is different and has a message sure to make you laugh and some also come with recipe cards. While you are there, grab a new outfit for dinner!