Beresta, Crispy Fried Onion
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
Thinly-sliced crispy fried onions with a pleasant flavorf. Beresta adds both crunch and flavor to a recipe. Dishes made with beresta gets an aromatic, sweet and smoky taste. Beresta is often used as garnish for biryani, pilaf, rice, meat, and vegetarian recipes too.
Author: Lail Hossain
Recipe type: Condiment
Serves: 1 up
Ingredients
- 4 cups onion, finely sliced
- 2 cups oil or ghee
Instructions
- Traditional Stovetop method
- In a deep pan, heat oil until it is hot. When oil begins to ripple, it is hot enough.
- Add the onions. Once it starts boiling, lower the heat to medium.
- Stir the onion slices frequently for even browning, until they are crispy and golden brown. The frying process will take approximately 45-60 minutes depending on the size and water quantity of the onion slices.
- Transfer the beresta onto a paper towel to absorb the extra oil. Spread onions as much as you can.
- Cool the beresta completely before transferring the fried onions to a lidded jar or a zip-lock plastic bag.
- Hands Free Microwave Method
- Drain any water out of the onion slices.
- In a big bowl, mix the onion and oil/ghee together.
- Microwave the onions for 4 minutes. Take the bowl out of the microwave and stir the onions. Cook for another 4 minutes in the microwave.
- Next, cook the onions in 2-2.5 minutes intervals and stir in between the intervals.
- As onion starts to color, reduce the cooking time to 1 minute interval until you get crisp and evenly colored beresta.
- Transfer the onions onto a paper towel to absorb the extra oil. Spread onions as much as you can.
- Cool the beresta completely before transferring the fried onions to a lidded jar or a zip-lock plastic bag.
Notes
TRADITIONAL METHOD NOTES:
Slow frying will make the onion very sweet and smoky.
Constantly stir the onions on stovetop to avoid burning.
Carefully stir the onion while frying to evenly color them.
Beresta can be stored in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks and in freezer up to 6 weeks.
I use my food processor, which makes this step a lot faster than cutting onion by hand.
MICROWAVE METHOD NOTES:
Make sure to stir the onions after each cooking interval to avoid burning.
Beresta can be stored in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks and in freezer up to 6 weeks.
I use my food processor, which makes this step a lot faster than cutting onion by hand.
Slow frying will make the onion very sweet and smoky.
Constantly stir the onions on stovetop to avoid burning.
Carefully stir the onion while frying to evenly color them.
Beresta can be stored in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks and in freezer up to 6 weeks.
I use my food processor, which makes this step a lot faster than cutting onion by hand.
MICROWAVE METHOD NOTES:
Make sure to stir the onions after each cooking interval to avoid burning.
Beresta can be stored in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks and in freezer up to 6 weeks.
I use my food processor, which makes this step a lot faster than cutting onion by hand.
Recipe by WithASpin at https://withaspin.com/2014/09/22/beresta-crispy-fried-onion-recipe/