Dried onion

[JulieO]

I have been trying to source some dried onion to use in the curry pastes in the Indian book.  I can't find any in the supermarket unless they are referring to the little jars of of McCorrmick's onion flakes? 

Can anyone steer me in the right direction especially if on-line.  Though I am going to Adelaide next week so if anyone knows a supplier down there I would be grateful.

Julie.

[cookie1]

Julie I used onion flakes that I had bought in Woolies. I looked in my Indian supermarket and they looked similar to me. I ran out with the Tikka paste yesterday so will probably buy them at the Indian supermarket next time.

[JulieO]

Thanks so much for replying Cookie.  Wasn't sure if they were supposed to be sliced and dried or what as I've not seen them anywhere before.  When I made my Tikka paste a couple of weeks ago I used dried fried shallots that a friend sent me from Sydney, but thought for the next lot I'd like to try what the recipe says.  I guess it doesn't really matter to be honest, just me being pedantic. 

[Thermomixer]

Wonder if we should use the dehydrator to make our own?  Will have to check the recipe.

If stuck, I am sure you could just slice the onions and place the rings/bits on baking paper and into the oven on 80 degrees to let them dry out?  May need to look at the recpes, but probably could use fresh onion for some pastes if keeping refrigerated ??

[JulieO]

Thanks Thermomixer, there's not a lot on the web about dried onions so must not be a too popular thing?  Sometimes I get caught up trying to do a recipe to the "T", but the paste was very nice using the dried shallots, and I have a nice big bag so I should be happy using them. 

[judydawn]

I have never been a member of Weight Watchers but have seen a few of their early books and a lot of their recipes called for dried onion for some reason.

[Thermomixer]

Think it used to be popular and meant that you didn't need to cut up a whole onion to make the dishes? 

[meganjane]

You could try Herbies.

[Meagan]

I worry about dried onion flakes and garlic flakes/powder where it comes from and what nasties might be in it..... But maybe that is just me

[andiesenji]

I've been drying my own onions, shallots and garlic for many years. 
Some onions contain more water than others - you can tell because when you cut it you will see a lot of "milk" on the cutting board.

For these, I spread the slices on a sheet pan or tray, lined with paper towels (I sometimes use old muslin tea towels when I am feeling urges to be more "green") and let them "weep" for thirty minutes or so. 
I dump them into a colander and rinse well to remove the salt, spread them on a dry towel or paper towels, pat them dry and transfer them to the dehydrator racks. 
This reduces the drying time by several hours, sometimes as much as a day. 
I slice the onions on a mandoline 1/4 inch thick - and they usually take 48 hours - longer in the rainy season, less time in the summer when the humidity is below 20%.

[JulieO]

Thanks for your replies.
MJ, I had a look at Herbies on-line where I've been able to source most of the stuff I can't buy here, but even they didn't have any.

Andiesenji, thanks for going to the trouble of explaining how you dry yours.  I don't have a dehydrator and I know it can be done outside, but that procedure doesn't appeal to me at all.

I was even thinking of getting a dehydrator, but I worry it may be something that won't get used much. 

[Thermomixer]

Just put the slices as described by Andie in an oven that you have been using to bake one of your lovely creations and they will dry.

We used to make stale bread into dried breadcrumbs that way all the time for coating things

[Very Happy Jan]

I get Fried Onions from my local Indian Food supplier. Do you think they would be what is meant by Dried onions?

[meganjane]

 No, dried fried onions are different. Dried onion flakes haven't been fried first. They have a totally different flavour.

I get mine from Cash and Carry in Canning Vale.

[cookie1]

Look out Cash and Carry here I come.  I haven't been there for quite a while. It's time I visited again.