Name: Sumac Onions
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 Medium Red onion (- sliced); 1 tsp Sumac; 2 Tbsp Lemon juice; 1 Tbsp Olive oil; Salt and pepper

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Today, we are making sumac onions, a popular Middle Eastern dish. This easy recipe combines thinly sliced onions with sumac. Sumac is an unusual spice that has a citrus flavour. It grows abundantly in parts of the Middle East, North Africa, and the Mediterranean regions.

Sumac is derived from the berries of the sumac plant. This spice has a tart flavour reminiscent of lemon and vinegar. These flavours enhance the natural sweetness of the onions.

What is Sumac?

You can use Sumac to season meat, salad, and vegetables if you travel to Turkey, Lebanon, or Iran. You will commonly see sumac on onions. Interestingly, this condiment pairs well with kebabs and meat. If you’re looking for a unique citrus-flavored condiment, then making sumac onions is a great idea. This dish is also perfect for a family barbecue.

Ingredients

Parsley, Red Onion, Sumac, Olive Oil, Lemon.

This recipe is essentially onions marinated in sumac. Red onions are sweeter than white onions and have a mild flavor. However, you can also use white onions in place of red onions. If you want a fancier side-dish, you can use thinly sliced shallots or baby onions cut in half. With the vibrant flavours of sumac and the Olive oil that coats the onions, this dish creates an interesting medley. Lemon juice adds a burst of acidity and ties all of the ingredients together. For those of you who enjoy a sweeter condiment, consider adding a tablespoon of honey to enhance the flavours. Where can you buy Sumac from? Most supermarkets will have it in the international aisle. Health food stores, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean stores should have it.

Instructions

Start by washing and lightly chopping your parsley. The next step is to slice your red onions thinly. Do not overlook this step. Red and white onions have a robust, pungent flavor, which can be too much for some people, so we strongly advise thinly slicing your onions. One way to reduce the intensity of the onions’ flavours is to soak them in a little cold water for 5 to 10 minutes. This step will reduce the onion’s spicy heat, making the dish less pungent.

The next step is to add the Sumac and olive oil. Add a squeeze of lemon juice. It is essential to mix the ingredients well. You want the sumac to coat the entire onion and parsley. For the best results, let it rest for ten to fifteen minutes. Allowing the flavours to meld together will help the onions absorb the sumac. The sumac’s tartness with the onion’s sweetness will produce a beautiful flavour.

What to Serve with your Sumac onions?

You can serve Sumac Onions with a wide variety of dishes. Consider adding it to your salads for a crunchy, tart element, or to your grilled cheese sandwich. This side dish will add a lovely surprise flavor. Many people in the Middle East indulge in a Mezze platter, and often sumac onions paired with Baba Ghanoush, Hummus, and Grilled meat is truly a feast to delight every sense!

How to Store your Sumac onions?

Store in the fridge for three to five days. Onions left in the fridge for a few days tend to release water. If they become mushy, they might not be edible. It is important to check the sumac onions after 2 to 3 days to ensure they are edible. Different refrigerator temperatures affect the longevity of condiments. Freezing sumac onions is not recommended; it will alter their texture.

Sumac Onions

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Course: Side dishes

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 5

Total Time: 10

Servings: servings

Calories: 21kcal

Author: thetastejournal.com

Ingredients

Instructions

Chop the Onions: Thinly slice the onions, or use a mandolin. Add the sliced onions to a bowl.
Mix the ingredients: Add lemon juice, sumac, olive oil, salt and pepper in the bowl. Mix all the ingredients so that the onion is coated with all the ingredients. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.