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Fresh Pickings

The bright, punchy flavours of scallions and onions add a welcome bite and hint of sweetness to dishes.

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The bright, punchy flavours of scallions and onions add a welcome bite and hint of sweetness to dishes. Make them the stars of your table with these fresh and creative ideas.

BUILD YOUR MEAL

This sweet-andsour onion combo is delicious with grilled meat or fish, or spooned over toast.

GLAZED WHOLE SPRING ONIONS

If you can’t find spring onions, use shallots.

START TO FINISH: 20 MINUTES

SERVES: 4 TO 6

Trim the stringy roots from 1 bunch of spring onions, keeping the root ends intact. (If using shallots, peel and trim 8, keeping the roots intact.) Halve lengthwise any that are larger than the rest, so they all cook at the same rate. Heat 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, turning occasionally, until golden brown and almost tender, about 10 minutes. Add ¼ cup dried apricots, 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar, and a pinch of kosher salt. Stir well, then cover; reduce the heat to low, and cook until glazed and tender, about 5 minutes. Uncover, stir well, and sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon red chilli flakes before serving.

 
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SPRING ONION & PEPPER PANCAKES WITH SESAME-SOYA DIPPING SAUCE

These Korean-style savoury pancakes can be a main course or a side.

START TO FINISH: 20 MINUTES

MAKES: 4 PANCAKES

> 1 tbsp rice vinegar
> 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
> 1 tsp minced hot chillies
> 2 tbsp plus 1 tsp reduced-sodium soya sauce
> 1½ tsp honey
> ½  cupall-purpose flour
> 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
> 1  bunch scallions (about 7), trimmed and cut into 12cm lengths

> 1  small red bell pepper, trimmed and cut into thin strips

1. Mix the vinegar, sesame seeds, chilli, 2 tablespoons soya sauce, and 1 teaspoon honey in a small bowl for serving.

2. Mix the flour, ½ cup cold water, the remaining teaspoon soya sauce, and the remaining ½ teaspoon honey in a bowl until smooth.

3. Heat the oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange the scallions and peppers in 4 rectangles in the pan, alternating the pieces and spacing 0.5cm apart. Carefully drizzle the batter over each rectangle, dividing evenly. If needed, spread the batter to cover the vegetables in a thin layer.

4. Cook until the bottoms of the pancakes are browned, 3 to 4 minutes, then carefully flip and cook until the other sides are browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to serving plates and serve with the dipping sauce.

CUSTOMISE IT
Prefer a little less spice? Skip the chilli in the dipping sauce.
 
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CARAMELISED ONION TART WITH FETA & OLIVES

Impressive but easy, this tart has an addictive savoury-sweet filling.

START TO FINISH: 1 HOUR

SERVES: 4 TO 8

> One 225g frozen pu pastry sheets
> 2  tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
> 1  large sweet onion (400g), finely chopped
> Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
> ½  cup pitted olives, preferably a mix of green and black, quartered
> 55g feta, crumbled > ¼  red onion, thinly sliced

> 2  tbsp flat-leaf parsley

1. Preheat the oven to 215 deg C. Line a half sheet pan with parchment.

2. Put the pastry on the parchment. Roll into a 33cm by 13cm rectangle. With a sharp paring knife, score a 1cm rim around the edges without cutting through the pastry. With a fork, poke holes in the pastry inside the rim.

3. Bake until golden and pu ed, about 15 minutes. While the pastry bakes, heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sweet onion and a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelised, translucent, and tender, about 10 minutes.

4. Remove the pastry from the oven and gently press down on the pu ed centre inside the rim with a spatula or a fork. Spread the caramelised onion evenly over the flattened pastry, then top with the olives and feta.

5. Bake until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is hot, 15 to 20 minutes. Top with the red onion, parsley, and a grinding of pepper. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.

FINISHING TOUCH
Red onion slices complement the jammy filling with their crunch and brightness.
 

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