How to Use Shallots

Too many people hear the word shallot, and think it is way too complicated to use in their own cooking. Nothing could be further from the truth. The shallot is basically a mild version of an onion and works great in a large variety of food. You can use a shallot in place of an onion in most dishes. You can also use it in many more due to the milder flavor of the shallot.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Shallot
• Lettuce
• Tomato
• Peppers
• Pasta sauce
• Mushroom gravy

How To Use Shallots

1. Dice shallots for your homemade salad--they make a great addition to a salad. This is especially true if you and your guests do not like the sharp flavor of an onion. The shallot gives it a very slight spice, but not as much as an onion.
2. Prepare a mushroom gravy using shallots. Are you looking to add something to your mushroom gravy? Shallots are a good addition for gravies. The reason is that they can be chopped up into small cloves just like garlic. This allows the shallot to infuse the gravy with its flavor without changing the texture of the gravy as much as an onion does.
3. Use shallots in your pasta sauce. Shallots provide a milder flavor than onions do in a pasta sauce. Once again they are also smaller and less detectable. Finely diced shallots and peppers can be used to "kick up" any canned pasta sauce. This is a great way to put your own touch on the pasta sauce without paying extra for fancier pasta sauces.
4. Top your favorite hamburger with shallots. The mild flavor of the shallot is great as it does not overpower the flavor of the hamburger itself. It blends with the other toppings instead of overpowering them.
5. Use shallots in your homemade meatloaf. Shallots tend to be a little softer than onions, which means they will not interfere with the texture of your meatloaf like onions do. By mixing shallots with your ground beef, you can flavor the meat mixture without anyone knowing what you used to give it that special flavor. Everyone will be looking, and asking you where the onions went. Only you will know that you used shallots instead.

Tips & Warnings

• Shallots are a milder flavor than onions.
• They will be enjoyed even by people who don't like onions.
• They can be added to recipes just like cloves of garlic.
• Shallots are a root, so make sure you clean them well before using them.

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