
Taking an onion and cooking it for a long time over moderate heat does something magical. The pungency so distinct to the onion is totally mellowed into a sweet, caramel flavour, and the texture becomes tender and silky. The only trick to success is patience; the sweetness must be gently coaxed out – this is something you cannot rush.
Once you have accomplished your feat of patience, oh boy, are you in for a treat. They are delicious as a topping for grilled steak or chicken, simmered with beef broth into a french onion soup, or piled onto a burger or sandwich – or, one of my favorites, on a pizza.
Making homemade pizza feels like an undertaking, but if you’ve got a bread maker, it’s a cinch! Just plunk the ingredients into the machine, put it on the “dough” setting, and let it whirl about and rise comfortably while you paint your toenails, run to the market for onions, or walk your dog. Perfect dough every time, ready to be shaped.
Oliver was not impressed with the absence of meat on this pizza. That’s his you’re-a-traitor face.

Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Pizza
- 1 lb pizza dough (recipe here)
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/3 cup shredded parmigiano reggiano
- 2 tbsp soft goat cheese
- 1/2 bag baby spinach (two large handfuls)
- 1 large sweet yellow onion (about 1 lb), halved and thinly sliced
- salt
- 1/4 cup olive oil + additional for brushing pizza
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- cornmeal or flour, for dusting
1. Place a baking stone or overturned baking sheet on the lower-middle rack of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees.
2. Heat oil in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until deep golden brown; about 20 minutes. Add vinegar and stir till evaporated. Season to taste with salt. Transfer onions to a bowl to cool, and add spinach leaves to saucepan; cook, stirring frequently, until just wilted. Set aside.
3. Stretch pizza dough to desired shape and size. Remove baking stone or sheet from the oven. Dust with cornmeal or flour; position dough on top. Brush dough with olive oil; top with mozzarella and parmagiano cheeses, then onions and spinach, and dot with goat cheese. Bake for about 15 minutes, until crust is golden and cheese is bubbling in the center.
shhh! the best coffee in Vancouver can be found at Cafe Prado on Commercial Drive
Butter Bakery on Dunbar in Vancouver has the most amazing home made oreos and peanut butter marshmallow bars 🙂
Peanut butter marshmallow bars?! YUM!
I tweeted this giveaway @jbinvan
I shared this giveaway on Facebook (Jennifer Margaret)
Mochikas Peruvian Cafe at corner of pine and 5th has the best peruvian food. Try their ceviche and chupe de mariscos.
I have had their ceviche, and you’re right – it’s incredible!
I tweeted this giveaway at whaturmissing
tastiest breakfast i had last year was at Calvin’s Cafe in west vancouver – rosti with poached eggs & hollandaise sauce. but if west vancouver doesn’t count as vancouver, then JJ Bean makes the most amazing butter tarts – crispy buttery crusts with a gooey delicious filling.
Sure, West Van counts! Good tips 🙂
Sure, West Van counts! Good tips 🙂
also, i tweeted the link! (@joey_arm_strong)
The Red Wagon Cafe on East Hastings, off Nanaimo Street, has awesome weekend brunch. I like the Truckers Breakfast: Two eggs, sausage, potatoes, pancakes and toast. Yummy.
@greenurlifenow
YES! i love the trucker’s breakfast too.
I’ve posted the link about the contest on Twitter.
I have shared the contest on Facebook too.
Libby’s Cafe on Victoria Drive across from the Trout Lake Ice Rink is comfortable, pretty, and offers some mean paninis, made-from-scratch soups, and excellent espresso drinks and coffee:)
Not a real secret as I tweeted about it – the most refreshing mango salad with mint can be had at the new Pho Express Ankor on Robson. Or go to Newtown Bakery on Pender Street in Chinatown for their apple tarts (more like an apple popover) – sells out alot tho’…
Seb’s on Broadway has amazing brunch items!!! Try the Basil Pesto & Havarti Omlette!!!!!!!!!!! DE-lish! @RachelWolski
Best crepes (and so reasonably priced!) at Euro Bakery on Commercial Drive
I tweeted this contest! @dengshot
Speakeasy has WAFFLE fries =)
Whaaaat? Waffle fries?! Gotta try….
Hmmm the best steak can be found at Gotham Steakhouse and Coctail Bar… or so I hear from my husband who went without me ;( !!!
Looking for a great quick lunch… Eat @ Urban Fare!! @jameswilson24
Looking for a great quick lunch… Eat @ Urban Fare!! @jameswilson24
The first thing I do when I come back to Vancouver is race to Wild Rice for veggie Kung Pao. Then top it off with fresh mango bubble tea at the mall across the street. @mostlyvegan:twitter
A best keep secret in East Vancouver – the best bumble bee cake at Liberty’s Bakery at Main & East 21st Avenue –
romer’s burger bar on west 4th makes a killer veggie burger and the fries are to die for… @deee1221
the cranberry sourdough bread at COBS are my favourite! must try.
A huge fan of the carrot cake at Creme de la Crumb, http://www.cremedelacrumb.com/. It’s located at the CBC Radio building, I was there to watch a hockey game, needed some comfort food being down 2-1 in game 2… ate teh carrot cake and D. Sedin scored. Must be good right?
I love the mussels at the Twisted Fork on Granville downtown – they are 1/2 price on tuesdays!!
If you go down to Nicli Antica Pizzeria and order the Prosciutto Pizza ask for it to be topped with some caramelized onions! Soo tasty! @SmellyDanielly:twitter
I love the waffles at Marulilu Cafe on West Broadway and Cambie. They are delish!!
Death by chocolate’s cakes are to die for.
Ray V. Misa [email protected]
shared on FB and tweeted (@shsutherland) it…….best place to fill that sweet obsession………7 Sins near Rogers Arena.
The Irish Heather in Gastown, has the best Bangers and Mash (British sausages and mash potatoes) in the city!
If u like BIG desserts then u can’t go wrong with True Confections on Broadway & Alma in Vancouver.
Raw Canvas has great selections for their tasting plate… Enough to keep you coming back to try em all!!
And you get to PAINT!! It’s a great place for a party.
Wow !
50% Off “Happy Hours” is back at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver Griffins Restaurant.
I can’t afford full price but 50% Off, yes !
Way to go Griffins.
Don’t miss this opportunity.
Great tip, I’ll be using that one …. :o)
The Vancouver farmer markets are a great place for local fair. Be careful of your money though; so easy to spend so much on delicious food!
But what a great way for it to go! 😛
cristos on hastings has the yummiest (and cheap) souvlaki
Libby’s Cafe on Victoria Drive across from the Trout Lake Ice Rink is comfortable, pretty, and offers some mean paninis, made-from-scratch soups, and excellent espresso drinks and coffee:)
Best crepes (and so reasonably priced!) at Euro Bakery on Commercial Drive
If u like BIG desserts then u can’t go wrong with True Confections on Broadway & Alma in Vancouver.