Thursday, July 16, 2009

Onion Pie

I saw a 10 pound bag of Vadalia onions on sale and, of course, I just had to have them. I love the sweeter, milder onion flavor of the Vadalia. One of my favorite ways to use these onions is in this simple, quiche-like pie. This old standby is terrific when money is short and payday isn't until the end of the week. A simple salad goes wonderfully with this for a meatless meal, and goes just as well as a side with a delicious steak when the purse strings aren't drawn quite so tight.

Many recipes for onion pie call for a pastry crust, but this one is a little different as it uses crushed saltines and butter, a time saver and certainly very do-able for those who may be timid about preparing a pastry crust.

This pie is at its best served warm from the oven on the day it is made.

Onion Pie

1 cup finely crushed saltines (about 28 crackers)
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine, melted

2 cups thinly sliced onion, separated into rings (about 2 medium)
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
3/4 cup milk
2 eggs beaten
1/4 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (or your choice, a mix of cheese is delicious)
3/4 teaspoon salt **
dash ground black pepper
dash paprika

Mix cracker crumbs with the 1/4 cup melted butter. Press into the bottom and up the sides of an 8-inch pie plate.

In a saute pan, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter and add the onions. Cook the onions until translucent but not browned. Pour onions into the prepared crust. Combine the milk, egg, salt and pepper and pour over the onions. Sprinkle with the cheese and paprika.

Bake at 350F about 30 minutes or until a sharp knife inserted halfway between center and edge comes out clean.

Garnish with additional cooked onions and parsley if desired. Serves 4 to 6.

**I have found, depending on the saltiness of the cheese(s) you are using that 3/4 teaspoon salt is too much. I just toss in a pinch of salt and have found that to be quite satisfactory.

I've used any number of different cheeses with this, Swiss, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, sharp cheddar, Mexican cheese blend. All have been very good!

38 comments:

  1. Hello Katy, this is the most beautiful and easy to make onion pie I've ever seen! I will definitely make it soon! Thanks for the inspiration Katy!
    XO

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  2. What a wonderful pie! Too bad my husband won't go for onion! I always have to keep it separate!

    I love the sweeter onions too.

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  3. Katy - what a creative and tasty sounding dish! You are so clever :)

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  4. What a great looking dish! I love onion. I'm always on the lookout for those cheap week meals. I also love that this uses saltines. My husband isn't a pie crust fan. Can't wait to try this one :)

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  5. I love vidalia onions, too, Katy! This pie looks just divine!

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  6. Oh this sounds heavenly. Love Vidalia onions also and the saltines idea is brilliant.

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  7. I have never heard of anything like this, it looks wonderful!!

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  8. It looks such a great way to enjoy onions!

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  9. I love vadalia onions so this sounds intriging, Katy! I bet this is really delish!

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  10. I'm visiting my parents right now and they both LOVE onions. I may just have to let them try this out!

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  11. Wow! This looks so great! I love vidalia onions, too!

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  12. I had never heard of onion pie before. This sounds very interesting.

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  13. I have never had an onion pie before, but I love Vidalia onions, so I think I'll give it a try. If I haven't told you lately, your photographs are looking EXCELLENT these days!

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  14. Katy, This sounds very good. I love quiche and onions so it is a natural. Will have to try the saltine crust.

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  15. This does sound really delicious. I luv Vidalia's...so sweet and tasty :D I have to try this crust; what a great idea!

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  16. My husband ordinarily makes such a stink when I use onions in dishes...he'll literally sit and pick them out, one by one, but he LOVES vidalia onions!!! This actually would be an excellent side for my dinner tonight, if I can convince my husband to stop at the store on his way home from work :) I'm currently refusing to take my two little ones to the store by myself anymore...WAY too much work!

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  17. Love vidalia onions. I have never seen an onion pie - very tasty and love that it's economical!

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  18. Never tried pie with onions and onion is my fav ingredient..i would lov to try this when i get vidalia onions,thanx for sharing...

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  19. Katy dear, I have also made a very similar pie and LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Unfortunately my boys don't share my fondness for it. However, grin...thanks for bringing it back to memory as I am off next week to extended family food and visiting and this would be a definite hit for those daily food fests! ARGH...I see an additional ten pounds coming my way!!!!

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  20. Onion pie?? It looks delicious but alas hubby and I just don't care for onions..I can see though that it would be an affordable dish and that is great.
    You can have my share Trish...grin

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  21. I've never had onion pie. What a concept with the cracker crust. In Texas we have our version of the Vidalia which is called a 1015. Nice and sweet too. Your pie looks very rich and good.

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  22. Absolute heaven! With a nice glass of white wine, I could eat the whole onion pie!
    YUMMMMMY!!!

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  23. I've never had onion pie but you make it look delicious!

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  24. Your photos ARE looking excellent Katy...very impressive!

    The onion pie sounds great & it loks delicious!

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  25. I've never had onion pie before... but I haven't ever met a pie that I didn't love :-)

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  26. Oh Katy, this looks really yummy! I remember the first time I had a taste of onion pie - I fell right in love. I would love some of this right now....yes, for breakfast. Along with one of those muffins right below!

    P.S. I am bookmarking this pie - I have got to make it!

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  27. I am going to have to try this pie. My hubby loves onions. This is my first time here and I love your blog!

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  28. Katy, this looks really yummy. And frugal, too :) We have quite a few onions growing in our garden; I'll print this out and hope to make it soon. Thanks for sharing.

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  29. Katy you come up with the best recipes! I love onions too, I can't wait to try this!

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  30. I'm not a huge onion fan at all but wow this looks so delicious! I wish we could get Vadalia onions here because I know I could handle those.

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  31. Wow, another fantastic bake of Katy!!! You've done it again.

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  32. This looks fabulous - sweet Vidalia onions are sooo good! This looks like a winner :)

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  33. I have been looking at a similar recipe lately. It sounds delicious. I just love onions. We go through an obscene amount of them.

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  34. Oh wow....onion pie...sounds yum....

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  35. I've never had this but my goodness, talk about eye candy!

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  36. Katy, I made your onion pie last night and it was yummy. Hope you don't mind, I just blogged about it and linked to you. Thanks for the great new recipe!

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  37. Lynn, I am so happy you liked this recipe. It's one I've made and enjoyed for many years. It's a kick for me to see others make it and enjoy it as well! Thank you for your sweet post and comments!!

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