Sweet Onion Blossom

Name: Sweet Onion Blossom
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 1 h 5 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 1 serving.
Ingredients: 1 small Vidalia or sweet onion, peeled; 2 teaspoons butter, divided; 1/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese; 3/4 cup sliced fresh mushrooms; 4 fresh asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

"Using fresh asparagus from my garden, I created this side dish for lunch one day...and was delighted by the unusual combination of colors and flavors," says Judy Stratton of Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota.

Ingredients

1 small Vidalia or sweet onion, peeled
2 teaspoons butter, divided
1/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
4 fresh asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

Directions

Place onion on a cutting board; cut a thin slice from top. Place onion, root end down, make 1/4-in. cuts to within 1 in. of bottom. Repeat cuts in opposite direction, forming a grid pattern. Place in an ungreased 2-cup baking dish. Top with 1 teaspoon butter.
Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 60-70 minutes or until tender (cover with foil if top browns too quickly). Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 3-4 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.
Meanwhile, in a small skillet, saute mushrooms in remaining butter until tender; keep warm. Place asparagus in a steamer basket; place in a saucepan over 1 in. of water. Bring to a boil; cover and steam for 3-4 minutes or until crisp-tender. Place onion on a serving plate; spoon mushrooms and asparagus around onion.

Nutrition Facts

1 each: 223 calories, 13g fat (8g saturated fat), 37mg cholesterol, 222mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 4g fiber), 12g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 2 fat, 1 lean meat, 1/2 starch.

Originally published as Very Vadalia in Cooking for 2 Summer 2005