Alliums, Onions, Chives, Garlic, Leeks

"He who bears chives on his breath is safe from being kissed to death." - Martise, Roman Poet

Like Garlic and Leeks, onions have been a staple of man's diet since prehistoric times.

Hello Friends,
It is the time of year that I always plant onions, and other alliums in my garden.

Allium Allium spp. Amaryllidaceae / Perennials  Alliums: The Flavoring Herbs

Symbol – The Universe – Grow from seeds or plants, increase by division, bulbs multiply rapidly

Use in salads, omelettes, cheese spreads, soups, and potatoes, salads, butters  and many other foods. Today onions unite all cooks!

Allium is the enormous onion genus, which includes onions, leeks, shallots and scallions, as well as the chives, garlic and garlic chives that we usually claim as herbs. All 400 or so alliums have the characteristically strong odor when plant parts are bruised. Most are rhizomatous or bulbous perennials. Hey are easy to grow.

The ancient Israelites had been shepherds and herdsmen with little opportunity to grow vegetables and herbs, so it was not until they were in Egypt that they learned to eat and savor leeks, onions and garlic, which had been cultivated there since 3000 B.C.  They remembered the pungent alliums during their forty years of wandering in the desert when they tired of the manna God sent them: “There is nothing at all but this manna to look at “(Numbers 11:6): So, though the alliums are mentioned only once in the Bible, this reference emphasizes just how important this food was to the Israelites.

After they returned to Israel and settled in Canaan, farmers began to grow lentils, beans and other crops as well as the leeks, onions, garlic and cucumbers they had enjoyed in Egypt.

Alliums are valued for their savory, medicinal and aromatic values. They have many healing powers and add zest and lots of flavor to recipes. The Greeks thought they increased strength and bravery, the Romans relied on them as a cure for snakebite-a belief that remained until the middle ages when they applied onions to warts and aching ears! Did you know there is even songs about onions? The Onion Song One of our favorite recipes is French Onion Soup.

French Onion Soup with Rosemary & Thyme

Ingredients:

·         6 large onions-julienne

·         2 cloves of minced garlic

·         2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

·         1 cup dry sherry

·         1/4 cup brandy

·         1 quart chicken stock

·         2 quarts beef stock

·         2 TBSP  flour

·         white pepper

·         kosher salt

·         3 sprigs fresh rosemary(finely minced)

·         2 sprigs of thyme( with stems removed)

·         2 Bay Leaves

·         8 TBSP. unsalted butter

·         1 TBSP. Worcestershire sauce

·         Swiss cheese or Dofina Fontina

·         Crackers or bread slices

Melt butter in large soup pot and sauté onions  and garlic until golden brown. Add white wine, flour, mustard and brandy. After it thickens add beef stock, chicken stock, rosemary, thyme and bay leaves. Add Worcestershire sauce, and season with salt and pepper.Bring to a boil, then simmer for 25 minutes. Then put in bowls, add a homemade toasted cracker or bread slice on top of the bowl of soup, and a slice of  cheese, and broil in the oven for 2 to 5 minutes until the cheese is melted over the toasted bread slice and serve.

I love onions, garlic, leeks, chives, shallots and other alliums. And they have so many  health benefits, it is a good thing! Please let me know what are some of your favorite uses for onions and other alliums! I would love to hear from you.

Wishing you herbs, health and happiness on thsi cold winter day.

William "Bill" Varney