Espresso-Braised Spring Onions + some pretty major news!

These espresso-braised spring onions are great as a side dish, but even better chopped up and tossed with pasta and other vegetables.

Espresso-Braised Spring Onions | @withfoodandlove

It was just a normal Thursday afternoon, actually I remember feeling quite uninspired and blah. I was alone when the email came in. I saw the subject and thought, well this just has to be a mistake. Some kind of cruel joke maybe? I opened it, I read it ten times exactly. And then, I ran around my house like a full-on lunatic. My heart was racing, I was screaming/gasping for air. I think I did like a crazy little dance for a few minutes. I definitely scared my cat. I read it once more, out loud for final confirmation, and then I immediately starting calling all of my essentials.

You guys, I’m a finalist in the 2015 Saveur Blog Awards. What. The. Hell. My heart is overflowing and my brain feels like it might explode. I’m just totally {still} trying to wrap my mind around all this. For the most part I have been floating on cloud nine. My hard work has paid off with such esteemed recognition. But, some days I’m like how did this even happen? Wait, maybe this is a mistake and they haven’t caught it yet. I have so deeply admired the work of both the present and past year’s nominees and winners. I just can’t believe I’m among this group of superbly talented people.

It is with the most sincere gratitude that I thank you for reading and supporting my blog. Seriously, without you guys following along I wouldn’t be able to do the work that I love. Thank you if you nominated me. Thank you for your kind words. Thank you for your emails and messages and real life hugs. Just, THANK YOU.

If you could take a moment and vote for With Food + Love in the Special Interest category, I will love you forever! It takes just a sec, I promise. Get your vote on by clicking HERE!!

Espresso-Braised Spring Onions | @withfoodandlove

Espresso-Braised Spring Onions | @withfoodandlove

Espresso-Braised Spring Onions | @withfoodandlove

As I mentioned in my previous post, spring really is here in St. Louis! My backyard is turning into a crazy jungle, the spring vegetables are slowly trickling in and I’ve begun to really embrace my new home and make it mine – especially my kitchen. I’ve got my new knife strip up and I potted up a bunch of little buddies. With each passing day I’m feeling more and more like myself here in the Midwest.

There are so many spring veggies that I adore, but I’m a total sucker for spring onions. My love affair for their deep, vibrant, purplish-red hue {although sometimes they’re white} runs deep. I can spot them from across the room and when I do, I’m sold. These beauties are utterly irresistible. Their delicate profile, especially when slow-cooked and caramelized is intoxicating. They’re similar to scallions so you can eat their greeny-parts. But, they also have a bulb, so they’re a meatier somewhat more versatile choice.

The earthiness of the espresso really brings out a smoky, rich flavor in these spring onions. They’re awesome as a side, but they’re even better chopped up, tossed with pasta and a sprinkle of cheese. This post is brought to you by Lavazza, a brand I have a real affection for. When I travel to Italy to visit my in-laws we drink this coffee/espresso all, day, long. This is the first post of a four-part series. Over the course of the year I’ll be bringing you creative ways to cook with and drink coffee. And to get psyched up the fine folks are Lavazza are giving away some fresh roasts to one of you lucky ducks.

If you want to win {4} full size bags of coffee {in various roasts} delivered to your front door then head to the Lavazza website and check out their coffee line. Then drop me a comment below, I wanna know which roast sounds the best to you. Contest is open until noon CT on April 17, 2015; winner will be notified via email.

Espresso-Braised Spring Onions | @withfoodandlove

Espresso-Braised Spring Onions | @withfoodandlove

Espresso-Braised Spring Onions {print me!}

Notes: I used my percolator to brew the coffee. Feel free to use whatever method is comfortable to you. The dish takes about 30 minutes to make and it will serve about 4 people as a side.

Ingredients:

  • 2 bunches of spring onions
  • 2 tablespoons of espresso roast coffee {or any dark roast}
  • 3/4 filtered water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • handful parsley, chopped
  • sea salt + pepper to season

Preheat your oven to 375.

Brew the coffee and allow it to cool a little bit and then add in the honey, stir to dissolve. The honey {or other sugar source} is key to bring out the natural sweetness of the dish and caramelize the onions.

Snip the roots of the spring onions, trim back the greens slightly and slice in half lengthwise. Heat the olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Once the pan is really hot {be careful not to burn the oil} sear the onions {cut side down} until golden brown.

In an dish lay the onions cut side up. Pour the coffee over top, sprinkle on the parsley and season with salt and pepper. Cover with a lid and allow the onions to braise in the oven for about 20 – 30 minutes or whenever they become soft and tender and a beautiful shade of deep brown.

{{this giveaway is closed}}

This post is sponsored by Lavazza; all opinions are my own.

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Comments

  3. oooh I would love to try the Perfetto…that one sounds amazing!! I love trying new coffees. ;) And those onions look amazing!

  7. Well-deserved!!! Congrats to you! As for the coffee, they all look delicious, but I would love to try the Gran Selezione the most!

  9. i don’t really discriminate when it comes to properly brewed coffee, but the perfetto sounds particularly awesome!

  10. I love the creativity in this recipe – so neat Sherrie! Can you believe I’ve never had a spring onion? Total newbie over here. But your description makes me want to run to the store immediately and give them a whirl. But its 7:30am and I haven’t had my second cup of liquid life yet, soooo for the moment I’ll just stare at yours ;)

  11. Congratulations on your well-deserved nomination! I just put my vote in and it was easy to choose you. You’ve been such an inspiration since I recently found your blog, and couldn’t be happier for you! I’ve never really made spring onions the center piece when cooking with them before, but if I can find some at the Rittenhouse farmer’s market this weekend, I’ll be cooking these up! Thanks for the recipe!

  15. Perfetto and Santa Marta sound amazing.

    I voted! So happy for you and the window looks amazing too.

  18. OK, braising spring onions in espresso is kind of blowing my mind right now. So creative, Sherrie! And so so happy for you on the Saveur nom :):) Congrats again, lady!

  20. Gran Selezione …Dark roast with undertones of chocolate. Their new single origins sound good too. Congratulations on your nomination!

  21. Congratulations on your exciting news! The Perfetto sounds so delicious…would love to try it.

  23. Hi Sherrie!
    Congrats on the nomination! I discovered your blog through the Saveur nomination and I love it!
    Thank you for offering this giveaway, I’d love the Gran Selezione if I could choose :)
    Victoria

  24. As a self-proclaimed coffee freak, this post and giveaway are giving me life!! I love the sound of the LAVAZZA CLASSICO roast which has notes of dried fruit- yum, yum!
    Just voted! This is a fantastic sounding recipe, can’t wait to try it :)

  25. i’m definitely going with LAVAZZA ¡TIERRA! INTENSO – the blend sounds amazing & really like that it’s sustainable & fair trade

  26. Oh my word! So amazing!!! Don’t for a second doubt your talent. You have a gift!
    Anyways back to da coffee. I would pick LAVAZZA PERFETTO because I like it strong and black. And hallooo notes of caramel!

  27. I would love to try Lavazza Kilimanjaro, beans washed with a glacial water and dried under the warm African sun. Makes me think of a romantic summer vacation at the beach.

  29. Congratulations ! I would love to try the Lavazza Gran Selezione, with chocolate undertones. Sounds delicious!

  30. congrats on the nomination! you completely deserve it!

    i love dark roasts, so the lavazza perfetto sounds amazing :)

  31. What an awesome giveaway! The Qualità Rossa sounds delicious. Thanks for the chance to win!

  39. Thanks for such a kind message Emily, really, it made my whole day. Philly markets are loaded with these babies. I used to score mine at the Headhouse Market each spring. Happy findings, xo!

  41. Hahaha, well it was a risky decision that totally paid off.

    And, so stoked for June and meeting you and New York, hell yeah!

  46. Sherrie! This recipe is so stunning and creative! Exactly why you are getting all the recognition you deserve! A miilion congratulations. I work at a little cafe here in France, we use Lavazza beans and I’m thinking I might just have to bring some home to do this recipe exactly how it’s meant to be done! Happy Friday xo

  47. Jodi, you are too kind. Thank you, thank you, thank you!! And yeah you should definitely do that — grab the espresso roast if you have it on hand, if not any of their dark roasts will work. So much love to you always, xo.

  48. Oh my gosh, Sherrie, I see exactly what you mean! Your reaction to the Saveur news was so similar to mine!! (Except I only told like 2 people before it was officially made public that Monday because I was SO convinced it wasn’t real haha…classic Impostor.) And these spring onions are just stunning. The photographs, the recipe, everything. I really want to give them a try and do as you say–toss them in with some pasta and cheese! Thanks for sharing such lovely recipes and inspiring me to cook new veggies!

  49. Those are just gorgeous! I usually use balsamic but I bet espresso would be wonderful!

    I think that I’d like Gran Selezione, since it’s Rainforest Alliance Certified sourced, but Perfetto’s flavor sounds great!

  50. Haha, well I should clarify, by essentials I mean – my husband and best friend and dad. You know the people who will love me unconditionally even if “said event” is in fact not real. Thank you for all the kind words! And yes mostly definitely chop these babies up and toss ’em with a little pasta/cheese action.

    p.s. when are the details about NYC coming?! #cantwait

  58. WOOT WOOT! Congratulations on the nomination! I love espressos so the perfetto sounds perfect for me!

  59. Congrats! Thank you for this recipe and giveaway too! I love spring onions. I think the Lavazza Classico sounds amazing! It was hard to choose though.

  62. Woo hoo! Congratulations! :) I love the Lavazza Gran Selezione, with chocolate undertones…YUM

  66. Oh, this contest is right up my alley!!! After reading the details of each of the coffees, I would chose the Lavazza Kilimanjaro. I mean, who wouldn’t want to sip a cup of Joe that comes from tropical forest and volcanic soil and then washed in glacial water and dried under the warm African sun?

  69. Lavazza Santa Marta sounds wonderful and special to me. Thanks for the chance to win some beautiful coffee, one of the great pleasures, I think.

  70. Congratulations Sherry! I’m thrilled for your nomination…I’m a big fan and love your work. Pairing those gorgeous spring onions with espresso is genius and I love that addition of honey! I’ve never tried Lavazza and need to look for it! The Perfectto sounds yummy.

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