There's nothing lovelier than a homemade gift, and edible presents are the best of the lot. I made a few jars of red onion marmalade many years ago, and one particular recipient has dropped very un-subtle hints every year since, wondering when the next batch might be appearing.... so here it is, along with a recipe for you to make your own.
This lovely condiment is a bit like a fairly sweet chutney. It is such a handy thing to have in the fridge, and works really well in all sorts of dishes - I've photographed it here in little canapés with a little circle of toast and dollop of hummus, but it is also great in sandwiches and wraps (like a chutney), served with veggie sausages and mash, as a pizza topping, or even stirred through some instant veggie gravy to give it an extra special twist.
What will you do with yours?
Red Onion & Merlot Marmalade
Ingredients
- 1 kg red onions
- 75 g dairy-free margarine
- 75 g caster sugar
- 8 sprigs fresh thyme
- 500 ml merlot (or other red wine - check it is vegan)
- 150 ml red wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Peel the onions and slice them as finely as possible.
- Heat the margarine in a large saucepan or heavy-bottomed pan, then add the onions and sugar, then strip the leaves from the thyme, adding them to the pan as you go. Season well with salt and black pepper. Cook over a low heat for about half an hour, until the onions are completely soft.
- Add the red wine and both vinegars, then continue to cook for a further 20 minutes until the mixture has turned thick and syrupy.
- Remove from the heat, then when the mixture has cooled, spoon into clean, sterilised jars. The marmalade will keep in the fridge for up to 3 months.
For more edible Christmas gifts, take a look at:
Figgy Christmas Chutney
Beetroot & Chilli Ketchup
Shortbread Sweethearts (Vegan)
Ultimate Vegan Christmas Cake
Using Merlot is a fab idea. I bet it makes the onion marmalade even more rich and delicious. It's a fab colour too. I use it in just the same way as chutney.
This would make such a fabulous Christmas present - homemade is always best. Looks yummy!
That is one perfect fancy holiday appetizer to have out for the family and friends!
What size of jars do you mean when you say 'large' and 'small'. I want to make this for christmas and want to make sure I make enought!
Hi Laura, I just used old jam jars so not sure exactly what size they were, but I would call say a pasta sauce jar 'large' and a fairly small jar of jam 'small'. Sorry not to be more precise! Kate x