Onion Salad

Onion Salad Recipe - Colombian Vegetarian Dish

Region / culture: Colombia | Preparation time: 10 minutes | Cooking time: 0 minutes | Servings: 4 |

Vegetarian diet

Introduction

Onion salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish that is perfect for a light and healthy meal. This salad is packed with nutritious ingredients like sweet onions, kidney beans, and colorful bell peppers, making it a great option for those looking to add more vegetables to their diet.

History

Onion salad has been a popular dish in many cultures for centuries. Onions have long been used in cooking for their unique flavor and health benefits. The combination of onions, beans, and peppers in this salad creates a delicious and satisfying dish that is perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

0.75 cup of chopped sweet onions
16 oz (454 g) of cooked red kidney beans
1 cup of diced green bell pepper
1 cup of diced yellow bell pepper
1 tbsp of minced jalapeno
0.5 cup of white wine vinegar
2 tbsp of vegetable oil
3 tbsp of minced fresh coriander
1 tsp of chili powder

How to prepare

In a large shallow dish, combine onions, kidney beans, and peppers.
Toss the mixture and set it aside.
In a small bowl, combine vinegar, cilantro, and chili powder. Stir well.
Pour the vinegar mixture over the vegetables and toss to coat.
Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight, stirring occasionally.
Before serving, give the dish a final toss.

Variations

Add diced tomatoes or avocado for extra flavor and texture.
Substitute black beans or chickpeas for the kidney beans.
Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice for a citrusy kick.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to chop the onions and peppers into small, bite-sized pieces for easy eating.

- For a spicier salad, add more jalapenos or chili powder to taste.

- Make sure to refrigerate the salad for at least 8 hours to allow the flavors to meld together.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this onion salad as a side dish with grilled chicken or fish, or enjoy it on its own as a light and healthy meal.

Cooking Techniques

This onion salad recipe requires no cooking, making it a quick and easy dish to prepare.

Ingredient Substitutions

Feel free to customize this onion salad recipe with your favorite vegetables and beans. You can also adjust the seasonings to suit your taste preferences.

Make Ahead Tips

This onion salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just give it a quick toss before serving.

Presentation Ideas

Garnish the onion salad with fresh cilantro leaves or a sprinkle of chili powder for a pop of color.

Pairing Recommendations

This onion salad pairs well with grilled meats, seafood, or as a topping for tacos or nachos.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftover onion salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat, simply let it come to room temperature or enjoy it cold.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

This onion salad recipe contains approximately 200 calories per serving.

Carbohydrates

This onion salad recipe contains approximately 30 grams of carbohydrates per serving.

Fats

This onion salad recipe contains approximately 7 grams of fats per serving.

Proteins

This onion salad recipe contains approximately 10 grams of proteins per serving.

Vitamins and minerals

Onion salad is a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, and potassium.

Alergens

This onion salad recipe is gluten-free and vegan-friendly. However, it may contain allergens such as soy or nuts depending on the specific ingredients used.

Summary

Onion salad is a nutritious and delicious dish that is low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals. It is a great option for those looking to add more vegetables to their diet.

Summary

Onion salad is a simple and delicious dish that is perfect for a light and healthy meal. Packed with nutritious ingredients and bursting with flavor, this salad is sure to become a new favorite in your recipe rotation.

How did I get this recipe?

I vividly recall the moment I first laid eyes on this recipe for Onion Salad. It was many years ago, when I was just a young girl visiting my Aunt Mildred's house for the summer. Aunt Mildred was known for her delicious home-cooked meals, and I always looked forward to our visits because I knew I would get to eat some of her amazing dishes.

One day, as I was helping Aunt Mildred prepare dinner, she pulled out a yellowed piece of paper from her recipe box. She handed it to me and said, "This is my special recipe for Onion Salad. I learned it from a friend many years ago, and it has been a family favorite ever since."

I studied the recipe carefully, taking in the simple list of ingredients and the straightforward instructions. It seemed like such a basic dish, but Aunt Mildred assured me that the flavors would come together perfectly to create a delicious side dish that would complement any meal.

I watched as Aunt Mildred chopped the onions with expert precision, tears glistening in her eyes as she worked. She explained that the key to a good Onion Salad was to slice the onions as thinly as possible, allowing their natural sweetness to shine through.

As she mixed the onions with vinegar, sugar, and a dash of salt, the pungent aroma filled the kitchen. I couldn't wait to taste the finished salad, eager to see if it lived up to Aunt Mildred's reputation as a master chef.

When it was finally time to sit down to dinner, I eagerly spooned a generous helping of the Onion Salad onto my plate. The first bite was a revelation - the sharp tang of the onions mellowed by the sweetness of the sugar, all brought together by the acidity of the vinegar. It was a flavor combination unlike anything I had ever tasted before, and I was instantly hooked.

From that day on, I made it my mission to perfect Aunt Mildred's recipe for Onion Salad. I practiced chopping onions until I could slice them paper-thin with ease. I experimented with different ratios of vinegar and sugar, adjusting to suit my own taste preferences. And I shared the salad with friends and family, who all marveled at the simple yet delicious dish.

Over the years, I have continued to make Aunt Mildred's Onion Salad, each time tweaking the recipe slightly to make it my own. I have shared it with friends, neighbors, and even strangers who have become fast friends after tasting it. And I have passed the recipe down to my own children and grandchildren, who now make it a staple at their own family gatherings.

As I sit here now, reminiscing about that fateful day in Aunt Mildred's kitchen, I am filled with gratitude for the simple yet profound joy that cooking has brought into my life. The act of preparing a meal, of sharing it with loved ones, of passing down recipes through the generations - these are the things that bring us together, that create memories that last a lifetime.

And so, as I prepare yet another batch of Onion Salad for tonight's dinner, I do so with a heart full of love and gratitude. For this humble dish, with its humble beginnings, has become so much more than just a recipe to me. It is a connection to the past, a link to the present, and a promise of the future. And for that, I will always be grateful.