I like onions well enough in most things, but I can’t bear the taste of them cooked with eggs (e.g. in omelets) or milk (e.g. in scalloped potatoes). I cannot force myself to eat such things and there is literally no other food (except straight-up milk, altho i’m fine with it in cream sauces and such) that I have that reaction to.
My friend reports the same reaction, to scalloped potatoes in particular. He once went over to a relative’s house and was overwhelmed by the disgusting smell; he discreetly said something to his wife about it (perhaps something had gotten stuck in a vent and died?) and she said “that’s the scalloped potatoes cooking.”
I know that cilantro is unbearable for some people and fine for others. Perhaps there’s something similar going on here? Does anyone else have this reaction to them?
My brother and his wife loathe onions. I (and my parents) happen to like 'em.
The sulfur compounds in onions that cause tears from smelling are probably to blame. You and your friend are probably just recognizing that in situations where those sulfurous compounds aren’t disguised or are actually exaggerated by what they’re with.
I’m one of those people who absolutely loathes the taste of cilantro, but I love onions, and in my opinion, there’s nothing better than an omelet with onions in it. I think Egg McMuffins would be greatly improved by adding a bit of fried onions under the cheese.
I love onions. Absolutely love them in practically any savory combination… but I agree with the OP onions in omelette, or scrambled (creamed) eggs suck - it comes across as a odd hint of onion and it’s just nasty. Also, if I’m having the full cooked breakfast no onions on the side please.
Strangely enough the hint of onion that’s caused by cutting cheese on a cutting board after cutting onion on the same board is quite pleasant.
I’m pretty sensitive to onion flavor. If it’s in a stew or something similar where the onion pieces are extremely small and it’s very cooked and blended in with the other flavors, then it’s fine. But if it’s not that cooked-down or if I bite into a bigger/raw piece, then I get this awful sulfurous taste and I even gag sometimes. Oddly, onions in salsa (if I don’t bite right into one) don’t seem to produce that flavor when I’d expect that it would.
My eyes are very sensitive to the “fumes” when I try to cut up whole onions, as well. During one small onion I usually have to stop at least twice to wipe my eyes and take a quick break, as I can’t even see from all of the stinging. I finally tried the method of putting the onion in the freezer for 5-10 minutes before cutting it up, and it works great! (I’d tried these Onion Goggles and not only do I have to take off my glasses for them, as for most goggles, but they don’t even fit on my head with the glasses off!)
Love 'em. I could almost eat a whole red onion like an apple…might need a little salad dressing on it, but that’s it. Shallots? Mmm boy, king of the onions!
Onions in eggs: rock on!
Onions in scalloped potatoes…not sure. Caramelized onion would probably not fit with the texture/color. But I’d try them for sure.
If I take care to keep my mouth shut (the whole time) while I’m chopping onions, I’m usually fine. I don’t know where I picked up this trick or what the science is behind it, however.
It’s entirely possible that there is a chemical compound in onions that’s enhanced when they’re cooked in milk and/or eggs, and that both of you are sensitive to this particular compound.
In a similar vein, The Boy gags if he gets even the slightest whiff of cooked cruciferous veg (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and a few others) and also can’t stand the taste of most of those veg when raw. He does make an exception for coleslaw, but I suspect that’s because the dressing tends to drown out whatever it is that turns his stomach, since he usually prefers the very very vinegary versions.
Must be one of those weird genetic quirks, like the ability to smell cyanide compounds.
