200g shallots, carefully peeled and halved
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons brown sugar
A pinch of salt
1 tablespoon thyme, finely chopped, plus a few whole sprigs
2 tablespoons sherry
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
Heat oven to 200° C. Put olive oil in an ovenproof skillet. (Alternatively, you can brown the shallots in whatever pan you like, and then transfer them into a baking dish). Add the brown sugar, mix to just combine, then add shallots, cut-side down if you've halved any. Brown over medium heat for 10 minutes, flipping once halfway through, or as soon as a beautiful brown crust has developed on the first side. Take the pan off of the heat, and add everything else -- salt, thyme, sherry, vinegar -- shake the pan a bit, and then cover with foil and roast in the oven until completely cooked through. Depending on the size of your shallots, this can take anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes -- test with a knife every 5 minutes beginning at the 25-minute mark. Serve warm.
The weekly joy of the veg box delivery to my doorstep, the beauty, freshness and abundance of the produce. The smell and the array of colour of the bountiful harvest of crops. The squeak of the kale, the snap of podding broad beans.
Your first box is only a few clicks away. Get a box of fresh, local food in your kitchen soon, packed with care and supporting your local farmers and artisan producers.
