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| Pickled Maui Onions with Ogo Click on photo to enlarge |
Here in Hawaii we are blessed to have sweet Maui onions, they are so sweet you can eat them like an apple. Sweet onions originally came from the Canary Islands, principally Teneriffe Island. In 1898, seeds from that island were planted in the city of Cotulla, in South Texas. The sweet onion crop was an huge success. Today these sweet onions are Texas' leading vegetable crop. There are many varieties of sweet onions including Vidalia, Walla Walla, Sweet Imperial, Texas Spring Sweet, Texas 1015Y, Carzalia Sweet, Oso Sweet, Arizona, Granex, and our wonderful Maui sweet onion. You may have noticed that many of these sweet onions are named after the locations in which they're grown.
Maui onions are one of the smaller varieties of sweet onions grown on the Hawaiian island of Maui. They are trademarked "Kula-grown" onions, and are grown at an elevation of approximately 3000 feet, in upcountry Maui, in a farming area called Kula. No other place on Earth is home to the rich, volcanic soil of Mount Haleakala. Farmers attribute the unique sweetness of the Maui onion to the red volcanic soil of this, dormant volcano. Typically, Maui onions are among the first of the sweet onion varieties to be available in the spring, around April. They have a rich golden yellow color and they typically grow in a slightly flattened shape. These onions are mild and crisp, so they're the onions of choice for slicing raw on burgers and sandwiches. Many islanders enjoy eating Maui onions raw, while others prefer to cook them, bringing about an even more intense sweetness. Grilled, the onions can be combined with other vegetables for kebabs, fried for onion rings, used in soups and dips, pickled, sautéed, and puréed into a variety of sauces. Are you getting hungry, try one of these sweet Maui onion recipes and stop your crying:
Maui Onion Recipes:
Pickled Maui Onions
I absolutely love pickled Maui onions. They are a great thing to have on hand to serve alongside fish, hamburgers, or whatever.
Ingredients:
4 cups of cider vinegar
2 cup of caster sugar (very fine granulated sugar that dissolves quickly)
3 bay leaves
6 whole cloves
1 teaspoon of black peppercorns
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
4 large Maui Kula onions
Procedure:
Peel, halve and slice the onions into bite size pieces. Add all ingredients except the onions into a stockpot (one that is non-reactive). Place the stockpot on the stovetop on high heat. Stir well with a wooden spoon to dissolve the sugar into the vinegar while it comes up the boil. Once the pickling liquid is boiling, add the onions. Stir the onions and allow the temperature to come back to a simmer. Once simmering, cook the onions for a further 20 seconds and then remove from the heat. Allow the onions to cool slightly before transferring them into glass jars. Once you have tightly packed in the onions pour enough pickling liquid over to cover them completely. Makes 3 cups.
Note: If you like a spicier pickled onion, you can add red pepper flakes into the pickling liquid. If you can't get Maui onions, use red onions, which will turn your onions pink. Pink is not one of my favorite colors. A lot of Hawaiians also add "ogo" to their pickled onions. Ogo is a brownish seaweed that grows within the reef here on Moloka'i, and adds a nice crisp texture.
Portuguese Pickled Onions
Ingredients:
1 quart white vinegar
1 quart water
1/3 cup Hawaiian salt
4 pounds Maui Onions quarted
1/2 cup sugar
2-3 large carrots (optional)
1 large green bell pepper (optional)
Hawaiian chili pepper or red pepper flakes to taste
Procedure:
Bring vinegar, water, salt and sugar to a boil. Pour over onions (carrots and green pepper, if added). Use gallon container (glass) let cool. Refrigerate 1 month before eating.
Maui Onion Slaw
Serve this beautiful slaw on grilled fish tacos, or on the side with a hamburger.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon mirin or sweet sherry
salt and freshly ground pepper
2 carrots, cut into thin matchsticks
1 Japanese cucumber—peeled, seeded and cut into thin matchsticks
1 package (2 ounces) radish sprouts
1/2 Maui Kula onion, sliced paper thin
Procedure:
In a medium bowl, whisk 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and 1/2 teaspoon of soy sauce with the lime juice and mirin. Season with salt and pepper. Add the carrots, cucumber, radish sprouts and onion and toss to combine. Makes 4 servings.
Hearts of Palm Salad with Tomatoes,
and Sweet Maui Onions
If you have never tried hearts of palm, you should. This is wonderful combination of flavors and textures for a delicious light lunch, or a side salad.
Ingredients:
2 medium sweet Maui Kula onions, cut into 1/4-in.-thick wedges
2 pounds grape or small cherry tomatoes, cut in half
1 can (14.5 oz.) hearts of palm, drained and cut into thin disks
3/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Procedure:
In large bowl, toss tomatoes with onions, hearts of palm, parsley, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Makes 8 servings.
Sweet Maui Onion Marmalade
This tangy-sweet relish pairs nicely with pork tenderloins, or serve it as an appetizer atop toasted baguette slices.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cups chopped Maui Kula onion
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup red wine
3 tablespoons raisins
salt and coarsely ground black pepper to taste
Procedure:
Heat butter over medium heat in medium heavy saucepan. Add onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often. Sprinkle with sugar and continue slowly cooking (you may need to turn heat down if onions begin to brown too quickly or burn) until onions are very soft and browned — 8 to 10 minutes. Add vinegar, wine, raisins and simmer until almost all of the liquids have evaporated and the onion mixture is glistening and syrupy — about 5 minutes. Makes 2/3 cup.
Beer Battered Maui Onion Rings
Who doesn't love fried onion rings, but made with sweet Maui Kula onions and crispy panko takes this recipe over the top.
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups flour
12 ounces red ale (beer)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
3 Maui Kula onions
Panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
salt
oil -- for deep frying
Procedure:
Combine flour, cornstarch and salt and pepper to taste in large bowl. Whisk in ale until smooth. Cut onions into 1/4- to 1/3-inch-thick slices. Heat oil in deep fryer to 400F. Coat onion rings with batter, then sprinkle with panko. Gently add to hot oil without crowding pan and cook until golden brown. Remove with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Season with salt while onions are hot. Makes 4 servings.
Maui French Onion Soup
This is one of my favorite classic soups, a rich addition to start your next dinner party whether you live on Maui or the French Riviera.
Ingredients:
2 teaspoons olive oil
8 cups thinly vertically sliced Maui Kula onions
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup dry white wine
8 cups less-sodium beef broth
1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
8 (1-ounce) slices French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
8 (1-ounce) slices Swiss cheese (Gruyère, Comte, or Emmental)
Special equipment: 8 (8- to 10-oz) flameproof soup crocks or ramekins
Procedure:
Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onions to pan; sauté for 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in sugar, pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Reduce heat to medium; cook 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Increase heat to medium-high, and sauté for 5 minutes or until onion is golden brown. Stir in wine, and cook for 1 minute. Add broth and thyme; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 2 hours. Preheat broiler. Place bread in a single layer on a baking sheet; broil 2 minutes or until toasted, turning after 1 minute. Place 8 ovenproof bowls on a jelly-roll pan. Ladle 1 cup soup into each bowl. Divide bread evenly among bowls; top each serving with 1 cheese slice. Broil 3 minutes or until cheese begins to brown. Makes 8 servings.
Grilled Chicken, Tomato and
Maui Onion Sandwiches
This is an awesome combination of flavors that will bring you back for more.
Ingredients:
3 ounces pitted mixed olives, 1 cup
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 teaspoons fresh oregano
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
freshly ground pepper
2 large tomatoes, sliced 1/3 inch thick
1 Maui Kula onion sliced 1/4 inch thick
4 crusty rolls, such as ciabatta sourdough or hero split horizontally, or use pita pocks
salt
1 3/4 pounds chicken thighs, pounded thin between plastic wrap
Procedure:
Light a grill. In a mini food processor, pulse the pitted olives with the crushed garlic and oregano until chopped. Add the 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of olive oil and pulse until finely chopped. Season with pepper. Brush the tomatoes, onion and cut sides of the rolls with olive oil. Grill the tomatoes and onion over high heat until they are softened and lightly charred, about 2 minutes for the tomatoes and 6 minutes for the onion. Transfer to a plate and season with salt and pepper. Grill the bread until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper and grill them over high heat, turning occasionally, until they are lightly browned in spots and cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes. Cut the chicken to fit the toasted rolls and top with the sliced tomatoes, sliced onion and olive relish. Close the sandwiches, cut them in half and serve right away. Makes 4 servings.
Creamed Maui Onion Gratin
Creamy sweet Maui onions surrounded by cheese with a crispy panko top, a wonderful side dish.
Ingredients:
3 pounds sweet Maui Kula onions
3 tablespoons cream sherry
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk, scalded
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Kosher salt and pepper
1/2 cup panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
Procedure:
Preheat the oven to 375˚F. Lightly grease a gratin dish or medium casserole. Cut off the root and tip of the onions. Slice in half length-wise andpeel. Lay the cut-side of the onion down and slice length-wise into thick wedges. In a Dutch oven or heavy pot, melt two tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and caramelized, about 40 minutes. Add the sherry andsimmer until it evaporates. Remove the onions from the pan and pour through a fine mesh sieve. Let them drain while making the bechamel sauce. (Draining the onions prevents a runny gratinbecause the onions will continue to release more liquid in the oven.) In the same Dutch oven, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for one minute. Add the scalded milk and cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce is very thick. Remove from the heat. Fold in the Gruyere and stir until completely melted. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add the onions to the cheese sauce and toss to thoroughly coat. Pour the onion mixture into the gratin dish. Melt the remaining tablespoon of butter and toss with the panko crumbs. Sprinkle over the top of the onions and bake until bubbly and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Serve warm. Makes 6-8 servings.
Italian Tomato-Onion Crumble
This sounds like a dessert but it isn't. Serve this delicious tomato-onion crumble pie as a side dish, and your guests will know you can cook.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 sweet Maui Kula onions (about 1 pound total), peeled and thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 pounds ripe tomatoes, rinsed, cored, and sliced (1/4 inch thick)
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
3 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano leaves
salt and pepper
4 slices crusty artisan-style bread cut into chunks
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Procedure:
Heat oil in a 10- to 12-inch frying pan over medium heat. When hot, add onions and garlic. Stir frequently until onions are limp and beginning to brown, about 6 minutes. Pour into a 2- to 3-quart baking dish with sides at least 2 inches high, and spread onions level. Top evenly with tomato slices, basil, and oregano. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. In a food processor, whirl bread with butter and cheese until mixture forms coarse crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over tomatoes. Bake in a 350°F oven until topping is golden brown and juices are bubbling, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool 5 minutes and serve warm. Makes 8-10 servings.
Maui Onion Souffle
This savory dish is perfect as a side dish with prime rib, chicken, or pork.
Ingredients:
6 large eggs
2 cups whipping cream
1 (3-ounce) package shredded Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter or margarine
6 medium-size sweet Maui Kula onions, thinly sliced
Procedure:
Stir together first 3 ingredients in a large bowl, blending well. Combine flour and next 3 ingredients; gradually stir into egg mixture. Set aside. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add onions. Cook, stirring often, 30 to 40 minutes or until caramel colored. Remove from heat. Stir onions into egg mixture; then spoon into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until pudding is set. Makes 8 servings.
In a medium bowl, whisk 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and 1/2 teaspoon of soy sauce with the lime juice and mirin. Season with salt and pepper. Add the carrots, cucumber, radish sprouts and onion and toss to combine. Makes 4 servings.
Hearts of Palm Salad with Tomatoes,
and Sweet Maui Onions
If you have never tried hearts of palm, you should. This is wonderful combination of flavors and textures for a delicious light lunch, or a side salad.
Ingredients:
2 medium sweet Maui Kula onions, cut into 1/4-in.-thick wedges
2 pounds grape or small cherry tomatoes, cut in half
1 can (14.5 oz.) hearts of palm, drained and cut into thin disks
3/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Procedure:
In large bowl, toss tomatoes with onions, hearts of palm, parsley, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Makes 8 servings.
Sweet Maui Onion Marmalade
This tangy-sweet relish pairs nicely with pork tenderloins, or serve it as an appetizer atop toasted baguette slices.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cups chopped Maui Kula onion
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup red wine
3 tablespoons raisins
salt and coarsely ground black pepper to taste
Procedure:
Heat butter over medium heat in medium heavy saucepan. Add onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often. Sprinkle with sugar and continue slowly cooking (you may need to turn heat down if onions begin to brown too quickly or burn) until onions are very soft and browned — 8 to 10 minutes. Add vinegar, wine, raisins and simmer until almost all of the liquids have evaporated and the onion mixture is glistening and syrupy — about 5 minutes. Makes 2/3 cup.
Beer Battered Maui Onion Rings
Who doesn't love fried onion rings, but made with sweet Maui Kula onions and crispy panko takes this recipe over the top.
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups flour
12 ounces red ale (beer)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
3 Maui Kula onions
Panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
salt
oil -- for deep frying
Procedure:
Combine flour, cornstarch and salt and pepper to taste in large bowl. Whisk in ale until smooth. Cut onions into 1/4- to 1/3-inch-thick slices. Heat oil in deep fryer to 400F. Coat onion rings with batter, then sprinkle with panko. Gently add to hot oil without crowding pan and cook until golden brown. Remove with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Season with salt while onions are hot. Makes 4 servings.
Maui French Onion Soup
This is one of my favorite classic soups, a rich addition to start your next dinner party whether you live on Maui or the French Riviera.
Ingredients:
2 teaspoons olive oil
8 cups thinly vertically sliced Maui Kula onions
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup dry white wine
8 cups less-sodium beef broth
1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
8 (1-ounce) slices French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
8 (1-ounce) slices Swiss cheese (Gruyère, Comte, or Emmental)
Special equipment: 8 (8- to 10-oz) flameproof soup crocks or ramekins
Procedure:
Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onions to pan; sauté for 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in sugar, pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Reduce heat to medium; cook 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Increase heat to medium-high, and sauté for 5 minutes or until onion is golden brown. Stir in wine, and cook for 1 minute. Add broth and thyme; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 2 hours. Preheat broiler. Place bread in a single layer on a baking sheet; broil 2 minutes or until toasted, turning after 1 minute. Place 8 ovenproof bowls on a jelly-roll pan. Ladle 1 cup soup into each bowl. Divide bread evenly among bowls; top each serving with 1 cheese slice. Broil 3 minutes or until cheese begins to brown. Makes 8 servings.
Ultra-Thin Maui Onion Pizza
This is a thin pizza recipe because it uses large flour tortillas instead of pizza dough. My wife and I have flour tortilla pizzas all the time, once you have tried it you will love it.
Ingredients:
olive oil
1 Maui Kula onion, halved and thinly sliced
pinch of sugar
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
2 large flour tortillas
1 cup shredded Asiago cheese (about 2 ounces)
2/3 cup ricotta cheese
6 button or cremini mushrooms, trimmed and thinly sliced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
parchment paper
This is a thin pizza recipe because it uses large flour tortillas instead of pizza dough. My wife and I have flour tortilla pizzas all the time, once you have tried it you will love it.
Ingredients:
olive oil
1 Maui Kula onion, halved and thinly sliced
pinch of sugar
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
2 large flour tortillas
1 cup shredded Asiago cheese (about 2 ounces)
2/3 cup ricotta cheese
6 button or cremini mushrooms, trimmed and thinly sliced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
parchment paper
Procedure:
Place racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a small sauté pan on medium hight heat. Add the sliced Maui onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions begin to soften. Add a pinch of sugar and the balsamic vinegar, cook for a few more minutes until the onions are thoroughly softened and translucent. Remove from heat. Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper and brush with olive oil. Place a tortilla on each baking sheet and lightly brush each with olive oil. Sprinkle each tortilla with half a cup of shredded Asiago cheese. Add bits of ricotta cheese, 1/3 cup for each tortilla. Sprinkle with mushrooms and with the slightly caramelized onions. Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper. Place the baking sheets in the oven. Bake until the crust is crisp and brown all over (the time varies, depending on the oven and if your cookie sheet has already been heated, start with 10 minutes and check), rotating the sheets to ensure even baking. Cut with a pizza cutter or a knife. Makes 1-2 servings.
Grilled Chicken, Tomato and
Maui Onion Sandwiches
This is an awesome combination of flavors that will bring you back for more.
Ingredients:
3 ounces pitted mixed olives, 1 cup
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 teaspoons fresh oregano
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
freshly ground pepper
2 large tomatoes, sliced 1/3 inch thick
1 Maui Kula onion sliced 1/4 inch thick
4 crusty rolls, such as ciabatta sourdough or hero split horizontally, or use pita pocks
salt
1 3/4 pounds chicken thighs, pounded thin between plastic wrap
Procedure:
Light a grill. In a mini food processor, pulse the pitted olives with the crushed garlic and oregano until chopped. Add the 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of olive oil and pulse until finely chopped. Season with pepper. Brush the tomatoes, onion and cut sides of the rolls with olive oil. Grill the tomatoes and onion over high heat until they are softened and lightly charred, about 2 minutes for the tomatoes and 6 minutes for the onion. Transfer to a plate and season with salt and pepper. Grill the bread until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper and grill them over high heat, turning occasionally, until they are lightly browned in spots and cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes. Cut the chicken to fit the toasted rolls and top with the sliced tomatoes, sliced onion and olive relish. Close the sandwiches, cut them in half and serve right away. Makes 4 servings.
Creamed Maui Onion Gratin
Creamy sweet Maui onions surrounded by cheese with a crispy panko top, a wonderful side dish.
Ingredients:
3 pounds sweet Maui Kula onions
3 tablespoons cream sherry
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk, scalded
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Kosher salt and pepper
1/2 cup panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
Procedure:
Preheat the oven to 375˚F. Lightly grease a gratin dish or medium casserole. Cut off the root and tip of the onions. Slice in half length-wise andpeel. Lay the cut-side of the onion down and slice length-wise into thick wedges. In a Dutch oven or heavy pot, melt two tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and caramelized, about 40 minutes. Add the sherry andsimmer until it evaporates. Remove the onions from the pan and pour through a fine mesh sieve. Let them drain while making the bechamel sauce. (Draining the onions prevents a runny gratinbecause the onions will continue to release more liquid in the oven.) In the same Dutch oven, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for one minute. Add the scalded milk and cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce is very thick. Remove from the heat. Fold in the Gruyere and stir until completely melted. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add the onions to the cheese sauce and toss to thoroughly coat. Pour the onion mixture into the gratin dish. Melt the remaining tablespoon of butter and toss with the panko crumbs. Sprinkle over the top of the onions and bake until bubbly and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Serve warm. Makes 6-8 servings.
Italian Tomato-Onion Crumble
This sounds like a dessert but it isn't. Serve this delicious tomato-onion crumble pie as a side dish, and your guests will know you can cook.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 sweet Maui Kula onions (about 1 pound total), peeled and thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 pounds ripe tomatoes, rinsed, cored, and sliced (1/4 inch thick)
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
3 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano leaves
salt and pepper
4 slices crusty artisan-style bread cut into chunks
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Procedure:
Heat oil in a 10- to 12-inch frying pan over medium heat. When hot, add onions and garlic. Stir frequently until onions are limp and beginning to brown, about 6 minutes. Pour into a 2- to 3-quart baking dish with sides at least 2 inches high, and spread onions level. Top evenly with tomato slices, basil, and oregano. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. In a food processor, whirl bread with butter and cheese until mixture forms coarse crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over tomatoes. Bake in a 350°F oven until topping is golden brown and juices are bubbling, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool 5 minutes and serve warm. Makes 8-10 servings.
Maui Onion Souffle
This savory dish is perfect as a side dish with prime rib, chicken, or pork.
Ingredients:
6 large eggs
2 cups whipping cream
1 (3-ounce) package shredded Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter or margarine
6 medium-size sweet Maui Kula onions, thinly sliced
Procedure:
Stir together first 3 ingredients in a large bowl, blending well. Combine flour and next 3 ingredients; gradually stir into egg mixture. Set aside. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add onions. Cook, stirring often, 30 to 40 minutes or until caramel colored. Remove from heat. Stir onions into egg mixture; then spoon into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until pudding is set. Makes 8 servings.
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