red onions

Onions may stink up our kitchens, give us bad breath, and make us cry when cutting them, but despite these minor annoyances, they are actually full of healthy goodness.

Onions contain a high amount of polyphenols, a type of phytonutrient, which includes disease-protecting flavonoids and tannins. In fact, onions are one of the most polyphenol-packed foods you can eat.

Keep reading to learn more about the health benefits associated with red onions.

When I met Scott Conant of Food Network's Chopped and 24 Hour Restaurant Battle, the first question out of my mouth had to be about the onions. The chef and restaurateur's notorious criticism of raw, red onions is so well-documented that even Facebook runs rampant with pages like, "Shut up, Scott Conant, we don't care if you have an aversion to raw onions!" But Conant wants to set the record straight: he's not raising any stink over red onions.

"I don't hate red onions . . . I have a lot of them on my menu," he explained. "There are big things that get edited out of these [TV] shows. When I explain my thought process on red onions, all too often, what happens is, is that it's not interesting — what's interesting is the reaction."

You heard it from Scott Conant himself: he doesn't dislike onions. A few ways chef Scott likes to prepare onions, when you read more.

When I make guacamole, I prefer to use green onions instead of red or white onions because the green have a milder flavor. However, I recently tested a recipe where the raw white onions were soaked in water for a few minutes before being added to the avocado. The resulting minced onions were noticeably less strong with a somewhat sweeter, more mellow flavor. When the guacamole was finished, rather than overpower the dish, the onions complemented it. Here's what you do:

1. Slice or dice the onion according to your recipe.
2. Place in a bowl and cover with water. Let sit on the counter for five to 10 minutes.
3. Drain, discarding the water and reserving the onions. Use immediately!

Have you done this before? How do you feel about raw onions?

During the Summer, I not only love to make grilled bread, but I also immensely enjoy grilled pizza. The smokiness of the grill creates a crunchy, charred crust that is deliciously addictive. Depending on the toppings, sometimes I'll cook the whole thing on the grill, and other times I'll finish in the oven, as is the case with this recipe.
This pizza makes a great start for a dinner party because the ingredients — grated fontina cheese, hot Italian sausage, and grilled red peppers and onions — can be prepared in advance. When guests arrive, simply pop in the oven and bake until the cheese is melted. It's a seriously scrumptious pie. You won't be disappointed with the recipe, so get it now.

When it comes to Summer's stone fruits, don't be afraid to think beyond sweet preparations. In this recipe, ripe peaches are thrown on the grill and served alongside salmon and red onions.

As the peaches cook, they become juicy and caramelized. The final dish is drizzled with a gingery vinaigrette.

For the perfect midweek pick-me-up, serve this sophisticated Summer meal with a chilled glass of white wine. Check out the recipe.