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Jumble of Sweet-and-Sour Onions

 2 pounds mixed onions (extra-small red onions, pearl or boiling onions, and small cipollini)
 8 small shallots (about the size of a walnut in its shell) or 4 large, separated into lobes
 1/4 cup butter or olive oil, divided
 2 or 3 bushy thyme sprigs, plus a few smaller sprigs for topping
 2 Mediterranean bay leaves
 8 fresh sage leaves, plus 3 or 4 leaves for topping
  Sea salt and pepper
 2/3 cup port
 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, such as Katz
 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
 1/2 cup golden raisins
 1/2 cup dried tart cherries
  About 2 cups chicken stock or water
Step 1
1

Peel onions and shallots, removing first layer if it seems tough, and if your shallot lobes are wider than 2 in., halve them lengthwise.

Step 2
2

In a large, wide pot, melt 2 tbsp. butter with the thyme, bay, and sage over medium-high heat. Add onions and shallots and stir to coat. Season with a few pinches of salt and pepper.

Step 3
3

Add port, vinegar, honey, raisins, and cherries, then pour in 2 cups stock. When everything has begun to simmer, lower heat, cover, and cook 10 minutes.

Step 4
4

Stir onions and cook, uncovered, until liquid has thickened to a syrupy glaze and onions and shallots are tender, about 20 minutes. Pierce a few of the larger pieces with the tip of a knife to make sure they are tender. If they don't seem soft enough, add a little more broth, cover pan, and cook until tender.

Step 5
5

Lift onions into a bowl with a slotted spoon. Add remaining 2 tbsp. butter to pot, increase heat to high, and reduce liquid until syrupy, 5 to 8 minutes.

Step 6
6

Return onions to pot and turn to coat them in the glaze. Serve warm or at room temperature, topped with thyme sprigs and sage leaves.

Step 7
7

Make ahead: Up to 2 days. Reheat on low, covered.