Grandma's Famous Creamed Onions Au Gratin

Spice Guru's Note:

My grandmother's original recipe for Creamed Onions, which she served on every holiday.

• Total Time: 15 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1 cup grated extra-sharp white cheddar cheese (Cracker Barrel Aged Reserve Natural Extra Sharp Cheddar)
• 14 ounces frozen petite whole onions (Birds Eye)
• 1 ½ tablespoons butter
• 1 ½ tablespoons flour
• ½ teaspoon beef bouillon granules
• ¼ teaspoon prepared horseradish (or 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard)
• ¼ teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leave (or 1 dash ground thyme)
• 1 dash white pepper
• 1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 -2 tablespoon dry white wine (or 1/2-1 tablespoon dry sherry)
• ½ cup whole milk

GARNISH

• ½ teaspoon thinly snipped fresh chives

Directions:

1. GRATE 1 cup Cracker Barrel Aged Reserve Natural Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese; SET aside.
2. BOIL enough water to immerse 14 ounces frozen petite whole onions in; ADD 14 ounces frozen petite whole onions; COVER; BOIL again for 7 minutes or just until tender; DRAIN in colander; SET onions aside.
3. MELT 1 1/2 tablespoons butter in the same pot over medium-low heat; STIR-IN 1 1/2 tablespoons flour until almost golden (do not brown!).
4. ADD 1/2 teaspoon instant beef bouillon granules, 1/4 teaspoon prepared horseradish (or 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard), 1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves (or 1 dash ground thyme), 1 pinch ground white pepper and 1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg; COOK for one or two minutes to release flavors from spices until evenly absorbed with butter and spices and almost golden (about one minute).
5. MEASURE 1-2 tablespoons dry white wine or 1/2-1 tablespoon dry sherry into roux ingredients while whisking constantly with wire whisk; POUR 1/2 cup milk; STIR until sauce is thickened.
6. ADD 1 cup grated natural extra sharp cheddar cheese; STIR until cheese is completely melted.
7. COMBINE drained cooked onions with sauce mixture until thoroughly blended and sauce thins slightly; COVER until served.
8. STIR creamed onions before serving.
9. GARNISH with thinly snipped fresh thyme leaves or chives and SERVE.
10. GET READY to melt into your seat after just one taste!

Reviews

[Katset]

We made this for Thanksgiving 2010 and it rocked! I highly recommend it if you love creamed onions. We had never made them with cheese but it was really great! They will be on the table again this Christmas!

[GingerlyJ]

This will make my Christmaas table this year for sure!